Compositions and methods for inhibiting MMSET

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to agents that find use in the treatment, management, and/or study of cancer. In particular, the present invention relates to agents (e.g., small molecules, nucleic acids) that affect MMSET expression or activity.

This application claims priority to application 61/306,251, filed Feb. 19, 2010, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was made with government support under CA69568 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The government has certain rights in the invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to therapeutic agents that find use in the treatment, management and/or study of cancer. In particular, the present invention relates to small molecules and nucleic acids that target MMSET expression in cancer (e.g., prostate cancer, breast cancer, other solid tumors, multiple myeloma).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Afflicting one out of nine men over age 65, prostate cancer (PCA) is a leading cause of male cancer-related death, second only to lung cancer (Abate-Shen and Shen, Genes Dev 14:2410 [2000]; Ruijter et al., Endocr Rev, 20:22 [1999]). The American Cancer Society estimates that about 184,500 American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 39,200 will die in 2001.

Prostate cancer is typically diagnosed with a digital rectal exam and/or prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening. An elevated serum PSA level can indicate the presence of PCA. PSA is used as a marker for prostate cancer because it is secreted only by prostate cells. A healthy prostate will produce a stable amount—typically below 4 nanograms per milliliter, or a PSA reading of “4” or less—whereas cancer cells produce escalating amounts that correspond with the severity of the cancer. A level between 4 and 10 may raise a doctor's suspicion that a patient has prostate cancer, while amounts above 50 may show that the tumor has spread elsewhere in the body.

When PSA or digital tests indicate a strong likelihood that cancer is present, a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) is used to map the prostate and show any suspicious areas. Biopsies of various sectors of the prostate are used to determine if prostate cancer is present. Treatment options depend on the stage of the cancer. Men with a 10-year life expectancy or less who have a low Gleason number and whose tumor has not spread beyond the prostate are often treated with watchful waiting (no treatment). Treatment options for more aggressive cancers include surgical treatments such as radical prostatectomy (RP), in which the prostate is completely removed (with or without nerve sparing techniques) and radiation, applied through an external beam that directs the dose to the prostate from outside the body or via low-dose radioactive seeds that are implanted within the prostate to kill cancer cells locally. Anti-androgen hormone therapy is also used, alone or in conjunction with surgery or radiation. Hormone therapy uses luteinizing hormone-releasing hormones (LH-RH) analogs, which block the pituitary from producing hormones that stimulate testosterone production. Patients must have injections of LH-RH analogs for the rest of their lives.

While surgical and hormonal treatments are often effective for localized PCA, advanced disease remains essentially incurable. Androgen ablation is the most common therapy for advanced PCA, leading to massive apoptosis of androgen-dependent malignant cells and temporary tumor regression. In most cases, however, the tumor reemerges with a vengeance and can proliferate independent of androgen signals.

The advent of prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening has led to earlier detection of PCA and significantly reduced PCA-associated fatalities. However, the impact of PSA screening on cancer-specific mortality is still unknown pending the results of prospective randomized screening studies (Etzioni et al., J. Natl. Cancer Inst., 91:1033 [1999]; Maattanen et al., Br. J. Cancer 79:1210 [1999]; Schroder et al., J. Natl. Cancer Inst., 90:1817 [1998]). A major limitation of the serum PSA test is a lack of prostate cancer sensitivity and specificity especially in the intermediate range of PSA detection (4-10 ng/ml). Elevated serum PSA levels are often detected in patients with non-malignant conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis, and provide little information about the aggressiveness of the cancer detected. Coincident with increased serum PSA testing, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of prostate needle biopsies performed (Jacobsen et al., JAMA 274:1445 [1995]). This has resulted in a surge of equivocal prostate needle biopsies (Epstein and Potter J. Urol., 166:402 [2001]). Thus, development of new therapeutic targets and agents is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to therapeutic agents that find use in the treatment, management and/or study of cancer. In particular, the present invention relates to small molecules and nucleic acids that target Multiple Myeloma SET Domain-Containing Protein (MMSET) expression in cancer (e.g., prostate cancer, breast cancer, other solid tumors, multiple myeloma).

MMSET (also known as Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome candidate 1 (WHSC1) or Nuclear SET domain-containing protein 2 (NSD2) is a histone methyltransferase known to di-methylate histone H3 at lysine 36 (a modification referred to as H3-K36-dimethyl or H3-K36-Me₂). MMSET facilitates chromosomal integrity, and is aberrantly expressed in multiple cancers. In multiple myeloma, patients with MMSET involvement in t(4;14) (p16q32) chromosomal translocation experience a 15% rate of recurrence and worsened prognosis in comparison to multiple myeloma patients lacking such translocation (Intini et al. (2004) Brit. J. Haematol. 126:437; herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). MMSET knockdown in translocation-positive multiple myeloma cells strongly affects the proliferation and tumorigenic ability of such cells (Brito et al. (2009) Haematologica 94:78; herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). Experiments conducted during the course of developing some embodiments of the present invention demonstrated MMSET over-expression in metastatic prostate and breast cancer (FIG. 8). Expression, correlated with that of another histone methyltransferase, EZH2 (FIG. 8). Further, MMSET knockdown resulted in reduced cell proliferation and invasion in aggressive prostate cancer cell lines (FIG. 5), confirming a critical role for MMSET in cancer cell growth. Thus, inhibiting this enzyme has therapeutic impact. In some embodiments, inhibitors (e.g., small molecule inhibitors, siRNA inhibitors, antibody inhibitors) of MMSET find use in the treatment of MMSET-related conditions and disorders, including but not limited to prostate cancer, breast cancer, and multiple myeloma.

Methods and compositions of the present invention find use in various cancer types in a subject. In some embodiments, methods and compositions of the present invention find use in the treatment or prevention of prostate cancer. In some embodiments, methods and compositions of the present invention find use in the treatment or prevention of breast cancer. In some embodiments, methods and compositions of the present invention find use in the treatment or prevention of multiple myeloma. A subject is any animal that can benefit from the administration of a compound as described herein. In some embodiments, the subject is a mammal, for example, a human, a primate, a dog, a cat, a horse, a cow, a pig, a rodent, such as for example a rat or mouse. Typically, the subject is a human.

Methods of the present invention are not limited by dosing, formulation, administration routes, or temporal administration regimes pertaining to the MMSET-active (e.g., MMSET-inhibiting) agent. In some embodiments, dosage of the MMSET-active agent is in the range of about 2 mg up to about 2,000 mg per day, with variations necessarily occurring depending on the disease target, the patient, and the route of administration. In some embodiments, dosages are administered orally in the range of about 0.05 mg/kg to about 20 mg/kg, more preferably in the range of about 0.05 mg/kg to about 2 mg/kg, most preferably in the range of about 0.05 mg/kg to about 0.2 mg per kg of body weight per day. Administration routes include but are not limited to oral, topical, and parenteral (e.g. intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, intrathecal, intraarterial, nasal, or pulmonary administration). The invention is not limited by temporal aspects of administration of an MMSET-active agent (e.g., MMSET inhibitor). The MMSET-active agent may be administered singly or in combination with one or more other agent(s), e.g., one or more other chemotherapeutic agent(s). If administered in combination with another agent(s), such administration may occur simultaneously or sequentially without regard to order of administration. The MMSET-active agent therapy may be administered between 1 and 50 times per day, or less often (e.g., every other day, every three days, every 4 days, every 5 days, every 6 days, once a week, once a month, once every three months). The MMSET-active agent therapy may be continued for 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 1 year, 10 years, or more than 10 years.

“Treating” within the context of the instant invention, means an alleviation, in whole or in part, of symptoms associated with a disorder or disease, or slowing, inhibiting or halting of further progression or worsening of those symptoms, or prevention or prophylaxis of the disease or disorder in a subject at risk for developing the disease or disorder. Thus, e.g., treating metastatic prostate cancer may include inhibiting or preventing the metastasis of the cancer, a reduction in the speed and/or number of the metastasis, a reduction in tumor volume of the metastasized prostate cancer, a complete or partial remission of the metastasized prostate cancer or any other therapeutic benefit. As used herein, a “therapeutically effective amount” of a compound of the invention refers to an amount of the compound that alleviates, in whole or in part, symptoms associated with a disorder or disease, or slows, inhibits or halts further progression or worsening of those symptoms, or prevents or provides prophylaxis for the disease or disorder in a subject at risk for developing the disease or disorder.

Methods and compositions of embodiments of the present invention are not limited by the mechanism by which they affect MMSET. In some embodiments, MMSET mRNA expression is affected (e.g., expression in cancer cells) (e.g., expression in prostate cancer cells or their precursors, expression in breast cancer cells or their precursors, expression in plasma cells or plasma cell precursors). In some embodiments, MMSET mRNA transcription rate is altered (e.g., lowered). In some embodiments, MMSET mRNA transcript stability is altered (e.g., MMSET mRNA transcripts are rendered unstable or prone to degradation). In some embodiments, MMSET protein level is affected (e.g., lowered) (e.g., lowered in prostate cancer cells or their precursors, lowered in breast cancer cells or their precursors, lowered in plasma cells or their precursors). In some embodiments, MMSET protein molecule stability is altered (e.g., lowered). In some embodiments, one or more activities of MMSET protein is/are altered. In some embodiments, methylation activity of MMSET is inhibited. In some embodiments, interaction of MMSET with a substrate is affected (e.g., inhibited, promoted, made irreversible, made weaker, made non-specific, made more specific). In some embodiments, the activity of an MMSET regulator (e.g., positive regulator, negative regulator) is affected.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method of inhibiting the growth of cells comprising contacting a cell expressing MMSET with an agent that inhibits at least one biological activity of MMSET in the cell. In some embodiments, the MMSET agent is a type such as a small molecule, an siRNA, or an antibody, although other agents are contemplated. In some embodiments, the small molecule is 3-hydrazinylquinoxaline-2-thiol. In some embodiments, the cell is a cancer cell. In some embodiments, the cancer cell is of a type such as a prostate cancer cell, a prostate cancer cell precursor, a breast cancer cell, a breast cancer cell precursor, a plasma cell, or a plasma cell precursor. In some embodiments, the cancer cell is a prostate cancer cell.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method of inhibiting the growth of cells comprising inhibiting the methylation of lysine 36 of histone H3. In some embodiments, the methylation of lysine 36 of histone H3 consists of dimethylation. In some embodiments, the methylation of lysine 36 of histone H3 consists of trimethylation. In some embodiments, the inhibition occurs by altering at least one activity of MMSET. For example, in some embodiments, the MMSET activity is MMSET enzymatic activity, MMSET transcript level, or MMSET protein level. In some embodiments, the MMSET enzymatic activity comprises methylation.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an agent that inhibits at least one activity of MMSET in a cell. In some embodiments, the agent is a nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the agent is a small molecule. In some embodiments, the agent is a small molecule. In some embodiments, the agent is 3-hydrazinylquinoxaline-2-thiol.

Additional embodiments will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art based on the teachings contained herein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows overexpression of Whsc1 (MMSET) in prostate cancer. Expression levels were surveyed using publicly available data (Oncomine) (Varambally et al. (2008) Science 322:1695-1699; Yu et al. (2007) Neoplasia 9:292-303; Lapointe et al. (2007) Cancer Res. 67:8504-8510; Lapointe et al. (2004) PNAS 101:811-816; each herein incorporated by reference in its entirety).

FIG. 2 shows MMSET expression across prostate samples.

FIG. 3 shows MMSET expression in a panel of prostate cell lines.

FIG. 4 shows that MMSET knockdown specifically reduces dimethylation of H3K36.

FIG. 5 shows that MMSET knockdown reduces DU145 cell proliferation.

FIG. 6 shows the effect of MMSET knockdown on PC3 cells.

FIG. 7 shows the effect of MCTP39 on DU145 cell proliferation and invasion.

FIG. 8 shows overexpression of WHSC1 (MMSET) and Ezh2 in resected prostate mets tissue. TaqMan real time PCR was performed to determine expression of MMSET1 and Ezh2 mRNA.

FIG. 9 shows levels of histone H3 methylation modifications at the indicated positions in DU145 cells treated with MCTP39 (3-hydrazinylquinoxaline-2-thiol).

FIG. 10 shows the chemical structure of MCTP39 (3-hydrazinylquinoxaline-2-thiol).

FIG. 11 shows identification of H3K36me2 markers as a target of EZH2.

FIG. 12 shows that EZH2 indirectly affects H3K36me2 by regulating MMSET.

FIG. 13 shows that EZH2 induces MMSET expression in normal cells.

FIG. 14 shows that EZH2 repressed miRNAs target MMSET.

FIG. 15 shows that MMSET knockdown affects prostate cancer proliferation, invasion and migration.

FIG. 16 shows that reduced MMSET attenuates basement membrane invention and metastasis in a CAM model.

FIG. 17 shows that overexpression of MMSET induces H3K36me2 mark and higher cell proliferation and invasion.

FIG. 18 shows that MMEST knockdown attenuates EZH2 mediated cell invasion.

FIG. 19 shows high expression of MMSET in multiple cancers.

FIG. 20 shows correlation of EZH2 and MMSET expression in prostate cancer samples.

FIG. 21 shows qPCR validation of the expression of EZH2 and MMSET in prostate cancer.

FIG. 22 shows EZH2 and MMSET expression in multiple cancer cell lines and prostate tissues.

FIG. 23 shows the effect of MCTP39 on MMSET activity.

FIG. 24 shows the effect of MCTP39 on H3K methylation, and cancer cell proliferation and invasion.

FIG. 25 shows that MCTP39 shows specificity toward translocation positive MM cell lines.

FIG. 26 shows that MCTP39 reduces tumor volume in xenograft tumors.

DEFINITIONS

To facilitate an understanding of the present invention, a number of terms and phrases are defined below:

As used herein, the term “inhibits at least one biological activity of MMSET” refers to any agent that decreases any activity of MMSET (e.g., including, but not limited to, the activities described herein), via directly contacting MMSET protein, contacting MMSET mRNA or genomic DNA, causing conformational changes of MMSET polypeptides, decreasing MMSET protein levels, or interfering with MMSET interactions with signaling partners, and affecting the expression of MMSET target genes. Inhibitors also include molecules that indirectly regulate MMSET biological activity by intercepting upstream or downstream signaling molecules.

As used herein, the term “subject” refers to any animal (e.g., a mammal), including, but not limited to, humans, non-human primates, rodents, and the like, which is to be the recipient of a particular treatment. Typically, the terms “subject” and “patient” are used interchangeably herein in reference to a human subject.

As used herein, the term “cancer marker genes” refers to a gene whose expression level, alone or in combination with other genes, is correlated with cancer or prognosis of cancer. The correlation may relate to either an increased or decreased expression of the gene. For example, the expression of the gene may be indicative of cancer, or lack of expression of the gene may be correlated with poor prognosis in a cancer patient. In some embodiments, cancer marker genes serve as targets for anticancer therapeutics. In some embodiments, cancer marker genes serve as indicators of cancer aggressiveness (e.g., invasiveness).

As used herein, the term “subject diagnosed with a cancer” refers to a subject who has been tested and found to have cancerous cells. The cancer may be diagnosed using any suitable method, including but not limited to, biopsy, x-ray, blood test, and the diagnostic methods of the present invention.

As used herein, the term “non-human animals” refers to all non-human animals including, but are not limited to, vertebrates such as rodents, non-human primates, ovines, bovines, ruminants, lagomorphs, porcines, caprines, equines, canines, felines, ayes, etc.

As used herein, the term “gene transfer system” refers to any means of delivering a composition comprising a nucleic acid sequence to a cell or tissue. For example, gene transfer systems include, but are not limited to, vectors (e.g., retroviral, adenoviral, adeno-associated viral, and other nucleic acid-based delivery systems), microinjection of naked nucleic acid, polymer-based delivery systems (e.g., liposome-based and metallic particle-based systems), biolistic injection, and the like. As used herein, the term “viral gene transfer system” refers to gene transfer systems comprising viral elements (e.g., intact viruses, modified viruses and viral components such as nucleic acids or proteins) to facilitate delivery of the sample to a desired cell or tissue. As used herein, the term “adenovirus gene transfer system” refers to gene transfer systems comprising intact or altered viruses belonging to the family Adenoviridae.

As used herein, the term “nucleic acid molecule” refers to any nucleic acid containing molecule, including but not limited to, DNA or RNA. The term encompasses sequences that include any of the known base analogs of DNA and RNA including, but not limited to, 4-acetylcytosine, 8-hydroxy-N6-methyladenosine, aziridinylcytosine, pseudoisocytosine, 5-(carboxyhydroxylmethyl)uracil, 5-fluorouracil, 5-bromouracil, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyl-2-thiouracil, 5-carboxymethylaminomethyluracil, dihydrouracil, inosine, N6-isopentenyladenine, 1-methyladenine, 1-methylpseudouracil, 1-methylguanine, 1-methylinosine, 2,2-dimethylguanine, 2-methyladenine, 2-methylguanine, 3-methylcytosine, 5-methylcytosine, N6-methyladenine, 7-methylguanine, 5-methylaminomethyluracil, 5-methoxyaminomethyl-2-thiouracil, beta-D-mannosylqueosine, 5′-methoxycarbonylmethyluracil, 5-methoxyuracil, 2-methylthio-N6-isopentenyladenine, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid methylester, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid, oxybutoxosine, pseudouracil, queosine, 2-thiocytosine, 5-methyl-2-thiouracil, 2-thiouracil, 4-thiouracil, 5-methyluracil, N-uracil-5-oxyacetic acid methylester, uracil-5-oxyacetic acid, pseudouracil, queosine, 2-thiocytosine, and 2,6-diaminopurine.

The term “gene” refers to a nucleic acid (e.g., DNA) sequence that comprises coding sequences necessary for the production of a polypeptide, precursor, or RNA (e.g., rRNA, tRNA). The polypeptide can be encoded by a full length coding sequence or by any portion of the coding sequence so long as the desired activity or functional properties (e.g., enzymatic activity, ligand binding, signal transduction, immunogenicity, etc.) of the full-length or fragment is retained. The term also encompasses the coding region of a structural gene and the sequences located adjacent to the coding region on both the 5′ and 3′ ends for a distance of about 1 kb or more on either end such that the gene corresponds to the length of the full-length mRNA. Sequences located 5′ of the coding region and present on the mRNA are referred to as 5′ non-translated sequences. Sequences located 3′ or downstream of the coding region and present on the mRNA are referred to as 3′ non-translated sequences. The term “gene” encompasses both cDNA and genomic forms of a gene. A genomic form or clone of a gene contains the coding region interrupted with non-coding sequences termed “introns” or “intervening regions” or “intervening sequences.” Introns are segments of a gene that are transcribed into nuclear RNA (hnRNA); introns may contain regulatory elements such as enhancers. Introns are removed or “spliced out” from the nuclear or primary transcript; introns therefore are absent in the messenger RNA (mRNA) transcript. The mRNA functions during translation to specify the sequence or order of amino acids in a nascent polypeptide.

As used herein, the term “gene expression” refers to the process of converting genetic information encoded in a gene into RNA (e.g., mRNA, rRNA, tRNA, or snRNA) through “transcription” of the gene (i.e., via the enzymatic action of an RNA polymerase), and for protein encoding genes, into protein through “translation” of mRNA. Gene expression can be regulated at many stages in the process. “Up-regulation” or “activation” refers to regulation that increases the production of gene expression products (i.e., RNA or protein), while “down-regulation” or “repression” refers to regulation that decrease production. Molecules (e.g., transcription factors) that are involved in up-regulation or down-regulation are often called “activators” and “repressors,” respectively.

In addition to containing introns, genomic forms of a gene may also include sequences located on both the 5′ and 3′ end of the sequences that are present on the RNA transcript. These sequences are referred to as “flanking” sequences or regions (these flanking sequences are located 5′ or 3′ to the non-translated sequences present on the mRNA transcript). The 5′ flanking region may contain regulatory sequences such as promoters and enhancers that control or influence the transcription of the gene. The 3′ flanking region may contain sequences that direct the termination of transcription, post-transcriptional cleavage and polyadenylation.

The term “wild-type” refers to a gene or gene product isolated from a naturally occurring source. A wild-type gene is that which is most frequently observed in a population and is thus arbitrarily designed the “normal” or “wild-type” form of the gene. In contrast, the term “modified” or “mutant” refers to a gene or gene product that displays modifications in sequence and or functional properties (i.e., altered characteristics) when compared to the wild-type gene or gene product. It is noted that naturally occurring mutants can be isolated; these are identified by the fact that they have altered characteristics (including altered nucleic acid sequences) when compared to the wild-type gene or gene product.

As used herein, the terms “nucleic acid molecule encoding,” “DNA sequence encoding,” and “DNA encoding” refer to the order or sequence of deoxyribonucleotides along a strand of deoxyribonucleic acid. The order of these deoxyribonucleotides determines the order of amino acids along the polypeptide (protein) chain. The DNA sequence thus codes for the amino acid sequence.

As used herein, the term “oligonucleotide,” refers to a short length of single-stranded polynucleotide chain. Oligonucleotides are typically less than 200 residues long (e.g., between 15 and 100), however, as used herein, the term is also intended to encompass longer polynucleotide chains. Oligonucleotides are often referred to by their length. For example a 24 residue oligonucleotide is referred to as a “24-mer”. Oligonucleotides can form secondary and tertiary structures by self-hybridizing or by hybridizing to other polynucleotides. Such structures can include, but are not limited to, duplexes, hairpins, cruciforms, bends, and triplexes.

As used herein, the terms “complementary” or “complementarity” are used in reference to polynucleotides (i.e., a sequence of nucleotides) related by the base-pairing rules. For example, for the sequence “5′-A-G-T-3′,” is complementary to the sequence “3′-T-C-A-5′.” Complementarity may be “partial,” in which only some of the nucleic acids' bases are matched according to the base pairing rules. Or, there may be “complete” or “total” complementarity between the nucleic acids. The degree of complementarity between nucleic acid strands has significant effects on the efficiency and strength of hybridization between nucleic acid strands. This is of particular importance in amplification reactions, as well as detection methods that depend upon binding between nucleic acids.

The term “homology” refers to a degree of complementarity. There may be partial homology or complete homology (i.e., identity). A partially complementary sequence is a nucleic acid molecule that at least partially inhibits a completely complementary nucleic acid molecule from hybridizing to a target nucleic acid is “substantially homologous.” The inhibition of hybridization of the completely complementary sequence to the target sequence may be examined using a hybridization assay (Southern or Northern blot, solution hybridization and the like) under conditions of low stringency. A substantially homologous sequence or probe will compete for and inhibit the binding (i.e., the hybridization) of a completely homologous nucleic acid molecule to a target under conditions of low stringency. This is not to say that conditions of low stringency are such that non-specific binding is permitted; low stringency conditions require that the binding of two sequences to one another be a specific (i.e., selective) interaction. The absence of non-specific binding may be tested by the use of a second target that is substantially non-complementary (e.g., less than about 30% identity); in the absence of non-specific binding the probe will not hybridize to the second non-complementary target.

When used in reference to a double-stranded nucleic acid sequence such as a cDNA or genomic clone, the term “substantially homologous” refers to any probe that can hybridize to either or both strands of the double-stranded nucleic acid sequence under conditions of low stringency as described above.

A gene may produce multiple RNA species that are generated by differential splicing of the primary RNA transcript. cDNAs that are splice variants of the same gene will contain regions of sequence identity or complete homology (representing the presence of the same exon or portion of the same exon on both cDNAs) and regions of complete non-identity (for example, representing the presence of exon “A” on cDNA 1 wherein cDNA 2 contains exon “B” instead). Because the two cDNAs contain regions of sequence identity they will both hybridize to a probe derived from the entire gene or portions of the gene containing sequences found on both cDNAs; the two splice variants are therefore substantially homologous to such a probe and to each other.

As used herein, the term “hybridization” is used in reference to the pairing of complementary nucleic acids. Hybridization and the strength of hybridization (i.e., the strength of the association between the nucleic acids) is impacted by such factors as the degree of complementary between the nucleic acids, stringency of the conditions involved, the T_(m) of the formed hybrid, and the G:C ratio within the nucleic acids. A single molecule that contains pairing of complementary nucleic acids within its structure is said to be “self-hybridized.”

As used herein, the term “T_(m)” is used in reference to the “melting temperature.” The melting temperature is the temperature at which a population of double-stranded nucleic acid molecules becomes half dissociated into single strands. The equation for calculating the T_(m) of nucleic acids is well known in the art. As indicated by standard references, a simple estimate of the T_(m) value may be calculated by the equation: T_(m)=81.5+0.41(% G+C), when a nucleic acid is in aqueous solution at 1 M NaCl (See e.g., Anderson and Young, Quantitative Filter Hybridization, in Nucleic Acid Hybridization [1985]). Other references include more sophisticated computations that take structural as well as sequence characteristics into account for the calculation of T_(m).

As used herein the term “stringency” is used in reference to the conditions of temperature, ionic strength, and the presence of other compounds such as organic solvents, under which nucleic acid hybridizations are conducted. Under “low stringency conditions” a nucleic acid sequence of interest will hybridize to its exact complement, sequences with single base mismatches, closely related sequences (e.g., sequences with 90% or greater homology), and sequences having only partial homology (e.g., sequences with 50-90% homology). Under ‘medium stringency conditions,” a nucleic acid sequence of interest will hybridize only to its exact complement, sequences with single base mismatches, and closely relation sequences (e.g., 90% or greater homology). Under “high stringency conditions,” a nucleic acid sequence of interest will hybridize only to its exact complement, and (depending on conditions such a temperature) sequences with single base mismatches. In other words, under conditions of high stringency the temperature can be raised so as to exclude hybridization to sequences with single base mismatches.

As used herein the term “portion” when in reference to a nucleotide sequence (as in “a portion of a given nucleotide sequence”) refers to fragments of that sequence. The fragments may range in size from four nucleotides to the entire nucleotide sequence minus one nucleotide (10 nucleotides, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 200, etc.).

As used herein, the term “vector” is used in reference to nucleic acid molecules that transfer DNA segment(s) from one cell to another. The term “vehicle” is sometimes used interchangeably with “vector.” Vectors are often derived from plasmids, bacteriophages, or plant or animal viruses.

The term “expression vector” as used herein refers to a recombinant DNA molecule containing a desired coding sequence and appropriate nucleic acid sequences necessary for the expression of the operably linked coding sequence in a particular host organism. Nucleic acid sequences necessary for expression in prokaryotes usually include a promoter, an operator (optional), and a ribosome binding site, often along with other sequences. Eukaryotic cells are known to utilize promoters, enhancers, and termination and polyadenylation signals.

The terms “overexpression” and “overexpressing” and grammatical equivalents, are used in reference to levels of mRNA to indicate a level of expression approximately 3-fold higher (or greater) than that observed in a given tissue in a control or non-transgenic animal. Levels of mRNA are measured using any of a number of techniques known to those skilled in the art including, but not limited to Northern blot analysis. Appropriate controls are included on the Northern blot to control for differences in the amount of RNA loaded from each tissue analyzed (e.g., the amount of 28S rRNA, an abundant RNA transcript present at essentially the same amount in all tissues, present in each sample can be used as a means of normalizing or standardizing the mRNA-specific signal observed on Northern blots). The amount of mRNA present in the band corresponding in size to the correctly spliced transgene RNA is quantified; other minor species of RNA which hybridize to the transgene probe are not considered in the quantification of the expression of the transgenic mRNA.

The term “transfection” as used herein refers to the introduction of foreign DNA into eukaryotic cells. Transfection may be accomplished by a variety of means known to the art including calcium phosphate-DNA co-precipitation, DEAE-dextran-mediated transfection, polybrene-mediated transfection, electroporation, microinjection, liposome fusion, lipofection, protoplast fusion, retroviral infection, and biolistics.

The term “stable transfection” or “stably transfected” refers to the introduction and integration of foreign DNA into the genome of the transfected cell. The term “stable transfectant” refers to a cell that has stably integrated foreign DNA into the genomic DNA.

The term “transient transfection” or “transiently transfected” refers to the introduction of foreign DNA into a cell where the foreign DNA fails to integrate into the genome of the transfected cell. The foreign DNA persists in the nucleus of the transfected cell for several days. During this time the foreign DNA is subject to the regulatory controls that govern the expression of endogenous genes in the chromosomes. The term “transient transfectant” refers to cells that have taken up foreign DNA but have failed to integrate this DNA.

As used herein, the term “cell culture” refers to any in vitro culture of cells. Included within this term are continuous cell lines (e.g., with an immortal phenotype), primary cell cultures, transformed cell lines, finite cell lines (e.g., non-transformed cells), and any other cell population maintained in vitro.

As used, the term “eukaryote” refers to organisms distinguishable from “prokaryotes.” It is intended that the term encompass all organisms with cells that exhibit the usual characteristics of eukaryotes, such as the presence of a true nucleus bounded by a nuclear membrane, within which lie the chromosomes, the presence of membrane-bound organelles, and other characteristics commonly observed in eukaryotic organisms. Thus, the term includes, but is not limited to such organisms as fungi, protozoa, and animals (e.g., humans).

As used herein, the term “in vitro” refers to an artificial environment and to processes or reactions that occur within an artificial environment. In vitro environments can consist of, but are not limited to, test tubes and cell culture. The term “in vivo” refers to the natural environment (e.g., an animal or a cell) and to processes or reaction that occur within a natural environment.

The terms “test compound” and “candidate compound” refer to any chemical entity, pharmaceutical, drug, and the like that is a candidate for use to treat or prevent a disease, illness, sickness, or disorder of bodily function (e.g., cancer). Test compounds comprise both known and potential therapeutic compounds. A test compound can be determined to be therapeutic by screening using the screening methods of the present invention. In some embodiments of the present invention, test compounds include antisense compounds.

As used herein, the term “sample” is used in its broadest sense. In one sense, it is meant to include a specimen or culture obtained from any source, as well as biological and environmental samples. Biological samples may be obtained from animals (including humans) and encompass fluids, solids, tissues, and gases. Biological samples include blood products, such as plasma, serum and the like. Such examples are not however to be construed as limiting the sample types applicable to the present invention.

The term “chemical moiety” refers to any chemical compound containing at least one carbon atom. Examples of chemical moieties include, but are not limited to, aromatic chemical moieties, chemical moieties comprising sulfur, chemical moieties comprising nitrogen, hydrophilic chemical moieties, and hydrophobic chemical moieties.

As used herein, the term “aliphatic” represents the groups including, but not limited to, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alicyclic.

As used herein, the term “aryl” represents a single aromatic ring such as a phenyl ring, or two or more aromatic rings (e.g., bisphenyl, naphthalene, anthracene), or an aromatic ring and one or more non-aromatic rings. The aryl group can be optionally substituted with a lower aliphatic group (e.g., alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or alicyclic). Additionally, the aliphatic and aryl groups can be further substituted by one or more functional groups including, but not limited to, —NH₂, —NHCOCH₃, —OH, lower alkoxy (C₁-C₄), halo (—F, —Cl, —Br, or —I).

As used herein, the term “substituted aliphatic,” refers to an alkane, alkene, alkyne, or alicyclic moiety where at least one of the aliphatic hydrogen atoms has been replaced by, for example, a halogen, an amino, a hydroxy, a nitro, a thio, a ketone, an aldehyde, an ester, an amide, a lower aliphatic, a substituted lower aliphatic, or a ring (aryl, substituted aryl, cycloaliphatic, or substituted cycloaliphatic, etc.). Examples of such include, but are not limited to, 1-chloroethyl and the like.

As used herein, the term “substituted aryl” refers to an aromatic ring or fused aromatic ring system consisting of at least one aromatic ring, and where at least one of the hydrogen atoms on a ring carbon has been replaced by, for example, a halogen, an amino, a hydroxy, a nitro, a thio, a ketone, an aldehyde, an ester, an amide, a lower aliphatic, a substituted lower aliphatic, or a ring (aryl, substituted aryl, cycloaliphatic, or substituted cycloaliphatic). Examples of such include, but are not limited to, hydroxyphenyl and the like.

As used herein, the term “cycloaliphatic” refers to an aliphatic structure containing a fused ring system. Examples of such include, but are not limited to, decalin and the like.

As used herein, the term “substituted cycloaliphatic” refers to a cycloaliphatic structure where at least one of the aliphatic hydrogen atoms has been replaced by a halogen, a nitro, a thio, an amino, a hydroxy, a ketone, an aldehyde, an ester, an amide, a lower aliphatic, a substituted lower aliphatic, or a ring (aryl, substituted aryl, cycloaliphatic, or substituted cycloaliphatic). Examples of such include, but are not limited to, 1-chlorodecalyl, bicyclo-heptanes, octanes, and nonanes (e.g., nonrbornyl) and the like.

As used herein, the term “heterocyclic” represents, for example, an aromatic or nonaromatic ring containing one or more heteroatoms. The heteroatoms can be the same or different from each other. Examples of heteroatoms include, but are not limited to nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. Aromatic and nonaromatic heterocyclic rings are well-known in the art. Some nonlimiting examples of aromatic heterocyclic rings include pyridine, pyrimidine, indole, purine, quinoline and isoquinoline. Nonlimiting examples of nonaromatic heterocyclic compounds include piperidine, piperazine, morpholine, pyrrolidine and pyrazolidine. Examples of oxygen containing heterocyclic rings include, but not limited to furan, oxirane, 2H-pyran, 4H-pyran, 2H-chromene, and benzofuran. Examples of sulfur-containing heterocyclic rings include, but are not limited to, thiophene, benzothiophene, and parathiazine. Examples of nitrogen containing rings include, but not limited to, pyrrole, pyrrolidine, pyrazole, pyrazolidine, imidazole, imidazoline, imidazolidine, pyridine, piperidine, pyrazine, piperazine, pyrimidine, indole, purine, benzimidazole, quinoline, isoquinoline, triazole, and triazine. Examples of heterocyclic rings containing two different heteroatoms include, but are not limited to, phenothiazine, morpholine, parathiazine, oxazine, oxazole, thiazine, and thiazole. The heterocyclic ring is optionally further substituted with one or more groups selected from aliphatic, nitro, acetyl (i.e., —C(═O)—CH₃), or aryl groups.

As used herein, the term “substituted heterocyclic” refers to a heterocyclic structure where at least one of the ring carbon atoms is replaced by oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur, and where at least one of the aliphatic hydrogen atoms has been replaced by a halogen, hydroxy, a thio, nitro, an amino, a ketone, an aldehyde, an ester, an amide, a lower aliphatic, a substituted lower aliphatic, or a ring (aryl, substituted aryl, cycloaliphatic, or substituted cycloaliphatic). Examples of such include, but are not limited to 2-chloropyranyl.

As used herein, the term “linker” refers to a chain containing up to and including eight contiguous atoms connecting two different structural moieties where such atoms are, for example, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, or sulfur. Ethylene glycol is one non-limiting example.

As used herein, the term “lower-alkyl-substituted-amino” refers to any alkyl unit containing up to and including eight carbon atoms where one of the aliphatic hydrogen atoms is replaced by an amino group. Examples of such include, but are not limited to, ethylamino and the like.

As used herein, the term “lower-alkyl-substituted-halogen” refers to any alkyl chain containing up to and including eight carbon atoms where one of the aliphatic hydrogen atoms is replaced by a halogen. Examples of such include, but are not limited to, chlorethyl and the like.

As used herein, the term “acetylamino” shall mean any primary or secondary amino that is acetylated. Examples of such include, but are not limited to, acetamide and the like.

As used herein, the term “a moiety that participates in hydrogen bonding” or “a chemical moiety that participates in hydrogen bonding” as used herein represents a group that can accept or donate a proton to form a hydrogen bond thereby. Some specific non-limiting examples of moieties that participate in hydrogen bonding include a fluoro, oxygen-containing and nitrogen-containing groups that are well-known in the art. Some examples of oxygen-containing groups that participate in hydrogen bonding include: hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower carbonyl, lower carboxyl, lower ethers and phenolic groups. The qualifier “lower” as used herein refers to lower aliphatic groups (C₁-C₄) to which the respective oxygen-containing functional group is attached. Thus, for example, the term “lower carbonyl” refers to inter alia, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde. Some nonlimiting examples of nitrogen-containing groups that participate in hydrogen bond formation include amino and amido groups. Additionally, groups containing both an oxygen and a nitrogen atom can also participate in hydrogen bond formation. Examples of such groups include nitro, N-hydroxy and nitrous groups. It is also possible that the hydrogen-bond acceptor in the present invention can be the π electrons of an aromatic ring.

The term “derivative” of a compound, as used herein, refers to a chemically modified compound wherein the chemical modification takes place either at a functional group of the compound or backbone. Such derivatives include, but are not limited to, esters of alcohol-containing compounds, esters of carboxy-containing compounds, amides of amine-containing compounds, amides of carboxy-containing compounds, imines of amino-containing compounds, acetals of aldehyde-containing compounds, ketals of carbonyl-containing compounds, and the like.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refers to any pharmaceutically acceptable salt (e.g., acid or base) of a compound of the present invention which, upon administration to a subject, is capable of providing a compound of this invention or an active metabolite or residue thereof. As is known to those of skill in the art, “salts” of the compounds of the present invention may be derived from inorganic or organic acids and bases. Examples of acids include, but are not limited to, hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, nitric, perchloric, fumaric, maleic, phosphoric, glycolic, lactic, salicylic, succinic, toluene-p-sulfonic, tartaric, acetic, citric, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, formic, benzoic, malonic, naphthalene-2-sulfonic, benzenesulfonic acid, and the like. Other acids, such as oxalic, while not in themselves pharmaceutically acceptable, may be employed in the preparation of salts useful as intermediates in obtaining the compounds of the invention and their pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts.

Examples of bases include, but are not limited to, alkali metals (e.g., sodium) hydroxides, alkaline earth metals (e.g., magnesium), hydroxides, ammonia, and compounds of formula NW₄ ⁺, wherein W is C₁₋₄ alkyl, and the like.

Examples of salts include, but are not limited to: acetate, adipate, alginate, aspartate, benzoate, benzenesulfonate, bisulfate, butyrate, citrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, fumarate, flucoheptanoate, glycerophosphate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonate, lactate, maleate, methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, oxalate, palmoate, pectinate, persulfate, phenylpropionate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, succinate, tartrate, thiocyanate, tosylate, undecanoate, and the like. Other examples of salts include anions of the compounds of the present invention compounded with a suitable cation such as Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺, and NW₄ ⁺ (wherein W is a C₁₋₄ alkyl group), and the like.

For therapeutic use, salts of the compounds of the present invention are contemplated as being pharmaceutically acceptable. However, salts of acids and bases that are non-pharmaceutically acceptable may also find use, for example, in the preparation or purification of a pharmaceutically acceptable compound.

As used herein, the term “siRNAs” refers to small interfering RNAs. In some embodiments, siRNAs comprise a duplex, or double-stranded region, of about 18-25 nucleotides long; often siRNAs contain from about two to four unpaired nucleotides at the 3′ end of each strand. At least one strand of the duplex or double-stranded region of a siRNA is substantially homologous to, or substantially complementary to, a target RNA molecule. The strand complementary to a target RNA molecule is the “antisense strand;” the strand homologous to the target RNA molecule is the “sense strand,” and is also complementary to the siRNA antisense strand. siRNAs may also contain additional sequences; non-limiting examples of such sequences include linking sequences, or loops, as well as stem and other folded structures. siRNAs appear to function as key intermediaries in triggering RNA interference in invertebrates and in vertebrates, and in triggering sequence-specific RNA degradation during posttranscriptional gene silencing in plants.

The term “RNA interference” or “RNAi” refers to the silencing or decreasing of gene expression by siRNAs. It is the process of sequence-specific, post-transcriptional gene silencing in animals and plants, initiated by siRNA that is homologous in its duplex region to the sequence of the silenced gene. The gene may be endogenous or exogenous to the organism, present integrated into a chromosome or present in a transfection vector that is not integrated into the genome. The expression of the gene is either completely or partially inhibited. RNAi may also be considered to inhibit the function of a target RNA; the function of the target RNA may be complete or partial.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to agents that find use in the treatment, management, and/or study of cancer. In particular, the present invention relates to small molecules and nucleic acids that target MMSET expression in cancer (e.g., prostate cancer, breast cancer, other solid tumors, multiple myeloma).

Multiple Myeloma SET domain (MMSET) (also known as FLJ23286, KIAA1090, MGC176638, NSD2, Nuclear SET domain-containing protein 2, Protein trithorax-5, REIIBP, TRX5, WHS, Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome candidate 1 protein, NSD2 and WHSC1) is identified by its fusion to the IgH locus in t(4;14)-associated multiple myeloma (MM) and possesses domains found within chromatin regulators, including the SET domain. MMSET is deleted in Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome and is a histone methyltransferase. Its substrate specificity varies. Both H3K36 dimethylation and H3K36 trimethylation activities have been reported. MMSET interacts with androgen receptor (AR) via its HMG domain and enhances receptor-mediated transcription. MMSET forms a complex with HDAC1 and HDAC2, mSin3a, and LSD1, and is a positive regulator of cell cycle based on functional studies in MM cells.

Experiments conducted during the course of development of embodiments of the present invention identified significantly high expression of MMSET in prostate tissue samples (including metastatic tissue) and cell lines (FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 8). Knockdown of MMSET led to reduced proliferation and invasion of metastatic prostate cancer cell line DU145 and PC3. Knockdown of MMSET specifically reduced H3K36 dimethylation, and the same effect could be observed upon Ezh2 (enhancer of zeste 2) knockdown as well (FIG. 4). Knockdown of MMSET also reduced proliferative capacity and invasiveness of DU145 cells (FIG. 5) and invasiveness of PC3 cells (FIG. 6). N39 also referred to as MCTP39 (an MMSET inhibitor) affected proliferation and invasion of DU145 cells even at very low concentration (FIG. 7). N39 reduced H3K27 trimethylation, H3K36 trimethylation and H3K36 dimethylation in DU145 cells (FIG. 9).

I. MMSET Targeted Cancer Therapies

In some embodiments, the present invention provides therapies for cancer (e.g., prostate cancer, breast cancer, other solid tumors, multiple myeloma). In some embodiments, therapies target MMSET, regulators of MMSET, MMSET-interacting proteins, and/or target(s) of MMSET.

A. Small Molecule Therapies

In some embodiments, the present invention provides small molecule inhibitors of MMSET expression or activity. Exemplary small molecule compounds include, but are not limited to, those disclosed herein (e.g., MCTP39 (3-hydrazinylquinoxaline-2-thiol) and derivatives thereof).

In some embodiments, these compounds find use in the inhibition of MMSET (e.g., as cancer therapeutics), alone or in combination with additional therapeutic agents described herein.

B. RNA Interference and Antisense Therapies

In some embodiments, the present invention targets the expression of MMSET. For example, in some embodiments, the present invention employs compositions comprising oligomeric antisense or RNAi compounds, particularly oligonucleotides (e.g., those described herein), for use in modulating the function of nucleic acid molecules encoding MMSET, ultimately modulating the amount of MMSET expressed.

1. RNA Interference (RNAi)

In some embodiments, RNAi is utilized to inhibit MMSET protein function. RNAi represents an evolutionarily conserved cellular defense for controlling the expression of foreign genes in most eukaryotes, including humans. RNAi is typically triggered by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) and causes sequence-specific mRNA degradation of single-stranded target RNAs homologous in response to dsRNA. The mediators of mRNA degradation are small interfering RNA duplexes (siRNAs), which are normally produced from long dsRNA by enzymatic cleavage in the cell. siRNAs are generally approximately twenty-one nucleotides in length (e.g. 21-23 nucleotides in length), and have a base-paired structure characterized by two nucleotide 3′-overhangs. Following the introduction of a small RNA, or RNAi, into the cell, it is believed the sequence is delivered to an enzyme complex called RISC (RNA-induced silencing complex). RISC recognizes the target and cleaves it with an endonuclease. It is noted that if larger RNA sequences are delivered to a cell, RNase III enzyme (Dicer) converts longer dsRNA into 21-23 nt ds siRNA fragments.

Chemically synthesized siRNAs have become powerful reagents for genome-wide analysis of mammalian gene function in cultured somatic cells. Beyond their value for validation of gene function, siRNAs also hold great potential as gene-specific therapeutic agents (Tuschl and Borkhardt, Molecular Intervent. 2002; 2(3):158-67, herein incorporated by reference).

The transfection of siRNAs into animal cells results in the potent, long-lasting post-transcriptional silencing of specific genes (Caplen et al, Proc Natl Acad Sci U.S.A. 2001; 98: 9742-7; Elbashir et al., Nature. 2001; 411:494-8; Elbashir et al., Genes Dev. 2001; 15: 188-200; and Elbashir et al., EMBO J. 2001; 20: 6877-88, all of which are herein incorporated by reference). Methods and compositions for performing RNAi with siRNAs are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,506,559, herein incorporated by reference.

siRNAs are extraordinarily effective at lowering the amounts of targeted RNA, and by extension proteins, frequently to undetectable levels. The silencing effect can last several months, and is extraordinarily specific, because one nucleotide mismatch between the target RNA and the central region of the siRNA is frequently sufficient to prevent silencing (Brummelkamp et al, Science 2002; 296:550-3; and Holen et al, Nucleic Acids Res. 2002; 30:1757-66, both of which are herein incorporated by reference).

An important factor in the design of siRNAs is the presence of accessible sites for siRNA binding. Bahoia et al., (J. Biol. Chem., 2003; 278: 15991-15997; herein incorporated by reference) describe the use of a type of DNA array called a scanning array to find accessible sites in mRNAs for designing effective siRNAs. These arrays comprise oligonucleotides ranging in size from monomers to a certain maximum, usually Comers, synthesized using a physical barrier (mask) by stepwise addition of each base in the sequence. Thus the arrays represent a full oligonucleotide complement of a region of the target gene. Hybridization of the target mRNA to these arrays provides an exhaustive accessibility profile of this region of the target mRNA. Such data are useful in the design of antisense oligonucleotides (ranging from 7 mers to 25 mers), where it is important to achieve a compromise between oligonucleotide length and binding affinity, to retain efficacy and target specificity (Sohail et al, Nucleic Acids Res., 2001; 29(10): 2041-2045). Additional methods and concerns for selecting siRNAs are described for example, in WO 05054270, WO05038054A1, WO03070966A2, J Mol Biol. 2005 May 13; 348(4):883-93, J Mol Biol. 2005 May 13; 348(4):871-81, and Nucleic Acids Res. 2003 Aug. 1; 31(15):4417-24, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In addition, software (e.g., the MWG online siMAX siRNA design tool) is commercially or publicly available for use in the selection of siRNAs.

In some embodiments, the present invention utilizes siRNA including blunt ends (see e.g., US20080200420, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety), overhangs (see e.g., US20080269147A1, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety), locked nucleic acids (see e.g., WO2008/006369, WO2008/043753, and WO2008/051306, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). In some embodiments, siRNAs are delivered via gene expression or using bacteria (see e.g., Xiang et al., Nature 24: 6 (2006) and WO06066048, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety).

In other embodiments, shRNA techniques (see e.g., 20080025958, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety) are utilized. A small hairpin RNA or short hairpin RNA (shRNA) is a sequence of RNA that makes a tight hairpin turn that can be used to silence gene expression via RNA interference. shRNA uses a vector introduced into cells and utilizes the U6 promoter to ensure that the shRNA is always expressed. This vector is usually passed on to daughter cells, allowing the gene silencing to be inherited. The shRNA hairpin structure is cleaved by the cellular machinery into siRNA, which is then bound to the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). This complex binds to and cleaves mRNAs which match the siRNA that is bound to it. shRNA is transcribed by RNA polymerase III.

In preferred embodiments, siRNA-based therapeutics are formulated as pharmaceutical compositions as described below. In preferred embodiments, administration of an siRNA composition of the present invention results in a measurable decrease in cancer (e.g., decrease or elimination of tumor, decrease in overproliferation of plasma cells).

2. Antisense

In other embodiments, MMSET protein expression is modulated using antisense compounds that specifically hybridize with one or more nucleic acids encoding MMSET. The specific hybridization of an oligomeric compound with its target nucleic acid interferes with the normal function of the nucleic acid. This modulation of function of a target nucleic acid by compounds that specifically hybridize to it is generally referred to as “antisense.” The functions of DNA to be interfered with include replication and transcription. The functions of RNA to be interfered with include all vital functions such as, for example, translocation of the RNA to the site of protein translation, translation of protein from the RNA, splicing of the RNA to yield one or more mRNA species, and catalytic activity that may be engaged in or facilitated by the RNA. The overall effect of such interference with target nucleic acid function is modulation of the expression of MMSET. In the context of the present invention, “modulation” means either an increase (stimulation) or a decrease (inhibition) in the expression of a gene. For example, expression may be inhibited to prevent tumor proliferation.

It is preferred to target specific nucleic acids for antisense. “Targeting” an antisense compound to a particular nucleic acid, in the context of the present invention, is a multistep process. The process usually begins with the identification of a nucleic acid sequence whose function is to be modulated. This may be, for example, a cellular gene (or mRNA transcribed from the gene) whose expression is associated with a particular disorder or disease state, or a nucleic acid molecule from an infectious agent. In the present invention, the target is a nucleic acid molecule encoding MMSET. The targeting process also includes determination of a site or sites within this gene for the antisense interaction to occur such that the desired effect, e.g., detection or modulation of expression of the protein, will result. Within the context of the present invention, a preferred intragenic site is the region encompassing the translation initiation or termination codon of the open reading frame (ORF) of the gene. Since the translation initiation codon is typically 5′-AUG (in transcribed mRNA molecules; 5′-ATG in the corresponding DNA molecule), the translation initiation codon is also referred to as the “AUG codon,” the “start codon” or the “AUG start codon”. A minority of genes have a translation initiation codon having the RNA sequence 5′-GUG, 5′-UUG or 5′-CUG, and 5′-AUA, 5′-ACG and 5′-CUG have been shown to function in vivo. Thus, the terms “translation initiation codon” and “start codon” can encompass many codon sequences, even though the initiator amino acid in each instance is typically methionine (in eukaryotes) or formylmethionine (in prokaryotes). Eukaryotic and prokaryotic genes may have two or more alternative start codons, any one of which may be preferentially utilized for translation initiation in a particular cell type or tissue, or under a particular set of conditions. In the context of the present invention, “start codon” and “translation initiation codon” refer to the codon or codons that are used in vivo to initiate translation of an mRNA molecule transcribed from a gene encoding a tumor antigen of the present invention, regardless of the sequence(s) of such codons.

Translation termination codon (or “stop codon”) of a gene may have one of three sequences (i.e., 5′-UAA, 5′-UAG and 5′-UGA; the corresponding DNA sequences are 5′-TAA, 5′-TAG and 5′-TGA, respectively). The terms “start codon region” and “translation initiation codon region” refer to a portion of such an mRNA or gene that encompasses from about 25 to about 50 contiguous nucleotides in either direction (i.e., 5′ or 3′) from a translation initiation codon. Similarly, the terms “stop codon region” and “translation termination codon region” refer to a portion of such an mRNA or gene that encompasses from about 25 to about 50 contiguous nucleotides in either direction (i.e., 5′ or 3′) from a translation termination codon.

The open reading frame (ORF) or “coding region,” which refers to the region between the translation initiation codon and the translation termination codon, is also a region that may be targeted effectively. Other target regions include the 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR), referring to the portion of an mRNA in the 5′ direction from the translation initiation codon, and thus including nucleotides between the 5′ cap site and the translation initiation codon of an mRNA or corresponding nucleotides on the gene, and the 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR), referring to the portion of an mRNA in the 3′ direction from the translation termination codon, and thus including nucleotides between the translation termination codon and 3′ end of an mRNA or corresponding nucleotides on the gene. The 5′ cap of an mRNA comprises an N7-methylated guanosine residue joined to the 5′-most residue of the mRNA via a 5′-5′ triphosphate linkage. The 5′ cap region of an mRNA is considered to include the 5′ cap structure itself as well as the first 50 nucleotides adjacent to the cap. The cap region may also be a preferred target region.

Although some eukaryotic mRNA transcripts are directly translated, many contain one or more regions, known as “introns,” that are excised from a transcript before it is translated. The remaining (and therefore translated) regions are known as “exons” and are spliced together to form a continuous mRNA sequence. mRNA splice sites (i.e., intron-exon junctions) may also be preferred target regions, and are particularly useful in situations where aberrant splicing is implicated in disease, or where an overproduction of a particular mRNA splice product is implicated in disease. Aberrant fusion junctions due to rearrangements or deletions are also preferred targets. It has also been found that introns can also be effective, and therefore preferred, target regions for antisense compounds targeted, for example, to DNA or pre-mRNA.

In some embodiments, target sites for antisense inhibition are identified using commercially available software programs (e.g., Biognostik, Gottingen, Germany; SysArris Software, Bangalore, India; Antisense Research Group, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, England; GeneTrove, Carlsbad, Calif.). In other embodiments, target sites for antisense inhibition are identified using the accessible site method described in PCT Publ. No. WO0198537A2, herein incorporated by reference.

Once one or more target sites have been identified, oligonucleotides are chosen that are sufficiently complementary to the target (i.e., hybridize sufficiently well and with sufficient specificity) to give the desired effect. For example, in preferred embodiments of the present invention, antisense oligonucleotides are targeted to or near the start codon.

In the context of this invention, “hybridization,” with respect to antisense compositions and methods, means hydrogen bonding, which may be Watson-Crick, Hoogsteen or reversed Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding, between complementary nucleoside or nucleotide bases. For example, adenine and thymine are complementary nucleobases that pair through the formation of hydrogen bonds. It is understood that the sequence of an antisense compound need not be 100% complementary to that of its target nucleic acid to be specifically hybridizable. An antisense compound is specifically hybridizable when binding of the compound to the target DNA or RNA molecule interferes with the normal function of the target DNA or RNA to cause a loss of utility, and there is a sufficient degree of complementarity to avoid non-specific binding of the antisense compound to non-target sequences under conditions in which specific binding is desired (i.e., under physiological conditions in the case of in vivo assays or therapeutic treatment, and in the case of in vitro assays, under conditions in which the assays are performed).

Antisense compounds are commonly used as research reagents and diagnostics. For example, antisense oligonucleotides, which are able to inhibit gene expression with specificity, can be used to elucidate the function of particular genes. Antisense compounds are also used, for example, to distinguish between functions of various members of a biological pathway.

The specificity and sensitivity of antisense is also applied for therapeutic uses. For example, antisense oligonucleotides have been employed as therapeutic moieties in the treatment of disease states in animals and man. Antisense oligonucleotides have been safely and effectively administered to humans and numerous clinical trials are presently underway. It is thus established that oligonucleotides are useful therapeutic modalities that can be configured to be useful in treatment regimes for treatment of cells, tissues, and animals, especially humans.

While antisense oligonucleotides are a preferred form of antisense compound, the present invention comprehends other oligomeric antisense compounds, including but not limited to oligonucleotide mimetics such as are described below. The antisense compounds in accordance with this invention preferably comprise from about 8 to about 30 nucleobases (i.e., from about 8 to about 30 linked bases), although both longer and shorter sequences may find use with the present invention. Particularly preferred antisense compounds are antisense oligonucleotides, even more preferably those comprising from about 12 to about 25 nucleobases.

Specific examples of preferred antisense compounds useful with the present invention include oligonucleotides containing modified backbones or non-natural internucleoside linkages. As defined in this specification, oligonucleotides having modified backbones include those that retain a phosphorus atom in the backbone and those that do not have a phosphorus atom in the backbone. For the purposes of this specification, modified oligonucleotides that do not have a phosphorus atom in their internucleoside backbone can also be considered to be oligonucleosides.

Preferred modified oligonucleotide backbones include, for example, phosphorothioates, chiral phosphorothioates, phosphorodithioates, phosphotriesters, aminoalkylphosphotriesters, methyl and other alkyl phosphonates including 3′-alkylene phosphonates and chiral phosphonates, phosphinates, phosphoramidates including 3′-amino phosphoramidate and aminoalkylphosphoramidates, thionophosphoramidates, thionoalkylphosphonates, thionoalkylphosphotriesters, and boranophosphates having normal 3′-5′ linkages, 2′-5′ linked analogs of these, and those having inverted polarity wherein the adjacent pairs of nucleoside units are linked 3′-5′ to 5′-3′ or 2′-5′ to 5′-2′. Various salts, mixed salts and free acid forms are also included.

Preferred modified oligonucleotide backbones that do not include a phosphorus atom therein have backbones that are formed by short chain alkyl or cycloalkyl internucleoside linkages, mixed heteroatom and alkyl or cycloalkyl internucleoside linkages, or one or more short chain heteroatomic or heterocyclic internucleoside linkages. These include those having morpholino linkages (formed in part from the sugar portion of a nucleoside); siloxane backbones; sulfide, sulfoxide and sulfone backbones; formacetyl and thioformacetyl backbones; methylene formacetyl and thioformacetyl backbones; alkene containing backbones; sulfamate backbones; methyleneimino and methylenehydrazino backbones; sulfonate and sulfonamide backbones; amide backbones; and others having mixed N, O, S and CH2 component parts.

In other preferred oligonucleotide mimetics, both the sugar and the internucleoside linkage (i.e., the backbone) of the nucleotide units are replaced with novel groups. The base units are maintained for hybridization with an appropriate nucleic acid target compound. One such oligomeric compound, an oligonucleotide mimetic that has been shown to have excellent hybridization properties, is referred to as a peptide nucleic acid (PNA). In PNA compounds, the sugar-backbone of an oligonucleotide is replaced with an amide containing backbone, in particular an aminoethylglycine backbone. The nucleobases are retained and are bound directly or indirectly to aza nitrogen atoms of the amide portion of the backbone. Representative United States patents that teach the preparation of PNA compounds include, but are not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,539,082; 5,714,331; and 5,719,262, each of which is herein incorporated by reference. Further teaching of PNA compounds can be found in Nielsen et al., Science 254:1497 (1991).

Most preferred embodiments of the invention are oligonucleotides with phosphorothioate backbones and oligonucleosides with heteroatom backbones, and in particular —CH2, —NH—O—CH2-, —CH2-N(CH3)-O—CH2- [known as a methylene(methylimino) or MMI backbone], —CH2-O—N(CH3)-CH2-, —CH2-N(CH3)-N(CH3)-CH2-, and —O—N(CH3)-CH2-CH2- [wherein the native phosphodiester backbone is represented as —O—P—O—CH2-] of the above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,677, and the amide backbones of the above referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,602,240. Also preferred are oligonucleotides having morpholino backbone structures of the above-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,506.

Modified oligonucleotides may also contain one or more substituted sugar moieties. Preferred oligonucleotides comprise one of the following at the 2′ position: OH; F; O—, S—, or N-alkyl; O—, S—, or N-alkenyl; O—, S— or N-alkynyl; or O-alkyl-O-alkyl, wherein the alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl may be substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkyl or C2 to C10 alkenyl and alkynyl. Particularly preferred are O[(CH2)nO]mCH3, O(CH2)nOCH3, O(CH2)nNH2, O(CH2)nCH3, O(CH2)nONH2, and O(CH2)nON[(CH2)nCH3)]2, where n and m are from 1 to about 10. Other preferred oligonucleotides comprise one of the following at the 2′ position: C1 to C10 lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, alkaryl, aralkyl, O-alkaryl or O-aralkyl, SH, SCH3, OCN, Cl, Br, CN, CF3, OCF3, SOCH3, SO2CH3, ONO2, NO2, N3, NH2, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkaryl, aminoalkylamino, polyalkylamino, substituted silyl, an RNA cleaving group, a reporter group, an intercalator, a group for improving the pharmacokinetic properties of an oligonucleotide, or a group for improving the pharmacodynamic properties of an oligonucleotide, and other substituents having similar properties. A preferred modification includes 2′-methoxyethoxy (2′-O—CH2CH2OCH3, also known as 2′-O-(2-methoxyethyl) or 2′-MOE) (Martin et al., Helv. Chim. Acta 78:486 [1995]) i.e., an alkoxyalkoxy group. A further preferred modification includes 2′-dimethylaminooxyethoxy (i.e., a O(CH2)2ON(CH3)2 group), also known as 2′-DMAOE, and 2′-dimethylaminoethoxyethoxy (also known in the art as 2′-O-dimethylaminoethoxyethyl or 2′-DMAEOE), i.e., 2′-O—CH2-O—CH2-N(CH2)2.

Other preferred modifications include 2′-methoxy (2′-O—CH3), 2′-aminopropoxy (2′-OCH2CH2CH2NH2) and 2′-fluoro (2′-F). Similar modifications may also be made at other positions on the oligonucleotide, particularly the 3′ position of the sugar on the 3′ terminal nucleotide or in 2′-5′ linked oligonucleotides and the 5′ position of 5′ terminal nucleotide. Oligonucleotides may also have sugar mimetics such as cyclobutyl moieties in place of the pentofuranosyl sugar.

Oligonucleotides may also include nucleobase (often referred to in the art simply as “base”) modifications or substitutions. As used herein, “unmodified” or “natural” nucleobases include the purine bases adenine (A) and guanine (G), and the pyrimidine bases thymine (T), cytosine (C) and uracil (U). Modified nucleobases include other synthetic and natural nucleobases such as 5-methylcytosine (5-me-C), 5-hydroxymethyl cytosine, xanthine, hypoxanthine, 2-aminoadenine, 6-methyl and other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-propyl and other alkyl derivatives of adenine and guanine, 2-thiouracil, 2-thiothymine and 2-thiocytosine, 5-halouracil and cytosine, 5-propynyl uracil and cytosine, 6-azo uracil, cytosine and thymine, 5-uracil (pseudouracil), 4-thiouracil, 8-halo, 8-amino, 8-thiol, 8-thioalkyl, 8-hydroxyl and other 8-substituted adenines and guanines, 5-halo particularly 5-bromo, 5-trifluoromethyl and other 5-substituted uracils and cytosines, 7-methylguanine and 7-methyladenine, 8-azaguanine and 8-azaadenine, 7-deazaguanine and 7-deazaadenine and 3-deazaguanine and 3-deazaadenine. Further nucleobases include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,808. Certain of these nucleobases are particularly useful for increasing the binding affinity of the oligomeric compounds of the invention. These include 5-substituted pyrimidines, 6-azapyrimidines and N-2, N-6 and O-6 substituted purines, including 2-aminopropyladenine, 5-propynyluracil and 5-propynylcytosine. 5-methylcytosine substitutions have been shown to increase nucleic acid duplex stability by 0.6-1.2. ° C. and are presently preferred base substitutions, even more particularly when combined with 2′-O-methoxyethyl sugar modifications.

Another modification of the oligonucleotides of the present invention involves chemically linking to the oligonucleotide one or more moieties or conjugates that enhance the activity, cellular distribution or cellular uptake of the oligonucleotide. Such moieties include but are not limited to lipid moieties such as a cholesterol moiety, cholic acid, a thioether, (e.g., hexyl-S-tritylthiol), a thiocholesterol, an aliphatic chain, (e.g., dodecandiol or undecyl residues), a phospholipid, (e.g., di-hexadecyl-rac-glycerol or triethylammonium 1,2-di-O-hexadecyl-rac-glycero-3-H-phosphonate), a polyamine or a polyethylene glycol chain or adamantane acetic acid, a palmityl moiety, or an octadecylamine or hexylamino-carbonyl-oxycholesterol moiety.

One skilled in the relevant art knows well how to generate oligonucleotides containing the above-described modifications. The present invention is not limited to the antisense oligonucleotides described above. Any suitable modification or substitution may be utilized.

It is not necessary for all positions in a given compound to be uniformly modified, and in fact more than one of the aforementioned modifications may be incorporated in a single compound or even at a single nucleoside within an oligonucleotide. The present invention also includes antisense compounds that are chimeric compounds. “Chimeric” antisense compounds or “chimeras,” in the context of the present invention, are antisense compounds, particularly oligonucleotides, which contain two or more chemically distinct regions, each made up of at least one monomer unit, i.e., a nucleotide in the case of an oligonucleotide compound. These oligonucleotides typically contain at least one region wherein the oligonucleotide is modified so as to confer upon the oligonucleotide increased resistance to nuclease degradation, increased cellular uptake, and/or increased binding affinity for the target nucleic acid. An additional region of the oligonucleotide may serve as a substrate for enzymes capable of cleaving RNA:DNA or RNA:RNA hybrids. By way of example, RNaseH is a cellular endonuclease that cleaves the RNA strand of an RNA:DNA duplex. Activation of RNase H, therefore, results in cleavage of the RNA target, thereby greatly enhancing the efficiency of oligonucleotide inhibition of gene expression. Consequently, comparable results can often be obtained with shorter oligonucleotides when chimeric oligonucleotides are used, compared to phosphorothioate deoxyoligonucleotides hybridizing to the same target region. Cleavage of the RNA target can be routinely detected by gel electrophoresis and, if necessary, associated nucleic acid hybridization techniques known in the art.

Chimeric antisense compounds of the present invention may be formed as composite structures of two or more oligonucleotides, modified oligonucleotides, oligonucleosides and/or oligonucleotide mimetics as described above.

The present invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions and formulations that include the antisense compounds of the present invention as described below.

C. Genetic Therapy

The present invention contemplates the use of any genetic manipulation for use in modulating the expression of MMSET. Examples of genetic manipulation include, but are not limited to, gene knockout (e.g., removing the MMSET gene from the chromosome using, for example, recombination), expression of antisense constructs with or without inducible promoters, and the like. Delivery of nucleic acid construct to cells in vitro or in vivo may be conducted using any suitable method. A suitable method is one that introduces the nucleic acid construct into the cell such that the desired event occurs (e.g., expression of an antisense construct). Genetic therapy may also be used to deliver siRNA or other interfering molecules that are expressed in vivo (e.g., upon stimulation by an inducible promoter (e.g., an androgen-responsive promoter)).

Introduction of molecules carrying genetic information into cells is achieved by any of various methods including, but not limited to, directed injection of naked DNA constructs, bombardment with gold particles loaded with said constructs, and macromolecule mediated gene transfer using, for example, liposomes, biopolymers, and the like. Preferred methods use gene delivery vehicles derived from viruses, including, but not limited to, adenoviruses, retroviruses, vaccinia viruses, and adeno-associated viruses. Because of the higher efficiency as compared to retroviruses, vectors derived from adenoviruses are the preferred gene delivery vehicles for transferring nucleic acid molecules into host cells in vivo. Adenoviral vectors have been shown to provide very efficient in vivo gene transfer into a variety of solid tumors in animal models and into human solid tumor xenografts in immune-deficient mice. Examples of adenoviral vectors and methods for gene transfer are described in PCT publications WO 00/12738 and WO 00/09675 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,033,908, 6,019,978, 6,001,557, 5,994,132, 5,994,128, 5,994,106, 5,981,225, 5,885,808, 5,872,154, 5,830,730, and 5,824,544, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Vectors may be administered to subjects in a variety of ways. For example, in some embodiments of the present invention, vectors are administered into tumors or tissue associated with tumors using direct injection. In other embodiments, administration is via the blood or lymphatic circulation (See e.g., PCT publication 99/02685 herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). Exemplary dose levels of adenoviral vector are preferably 10⁸ to 10¹¹ vector particles added to the perfusate.

D. Antibody Therapy

In some embodiments, the present invention provides antibodies that target tumors or cells (e.g., prostate tumors, breast cancer tumors, plasma cells) that express MMSET. Any suitable antibody (e.g., monoclonal, polyclonal, or synthetic) may be utilized in the therapeutic methods disclosed herein. In preferred embodiments, the antibodies used for cancer therapy are humanized antibodies. Methods for humanizing antibodies are well known in the art (See e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,180,370, 5,585,089, 6,054,297, and 5,565,332; each of which is herein incorporated by reference).

In some embodiments, the therapeutic antibodies comprise an antibody generated against MMSET, wherein the antibody is conjugated to a cytotoxic agent. In such embodiments, a tumor-specific therapeutic agent is generated that does not target normal cells, thus reducing many of the detrimental side effects of traditional chemotherapy. For certain applications, it is envisioned that the therapeutic agents will be pharmacologic agents that will serve as useful agents for attachment to antibodies, particularly cytotoxic or otherwise anticellular agents having the ability to kill or suppress the growth or cell division of endothelial cells. The present invention contemplates the use of any pharmacologic agent that can be conjugated to an antibody, and delivered in active form. Exemplary anticellular agents include chemotherapeutic agents, radioisotopes, and cytotoxins. The therapeutic antibodies of the present invention may include a variety of cytotoxic moieties, including but not limited to, radioactive isotopes (e.g., iodine-131, iodine-123, technicium-99m, indium-111, rhenium-188, rhenium-186, gallium-67, copper-67, yttrium-90, iodine-125 or astatine-211), hormones such as a steroid, antimetabolites such as cytosines (e.g., arabinoside, fluorouracil, methotrexate or aminopterin; an anthracycline; mitomycin C), vinca alkaloids (e.g., demecolcine; etoposide; mithramycin), and antitumor alkylating agent such as chlorambucil or melphalan. Other embodiments include agents such as a coagulant, a cytokine, growth factor, bacterial endotoxin or the lipid A moiety of bacterial endotoxin. For example, in some embodiments, therapeutic agents include plant-, fungus- or bacteria-derived toxin, such as an A chain toxins, a ribosome inactivating protein, α-sarcin, aspergillin, restrictocin, a ribonuclease, diphtheria toxin or pseudomonas exotoxin, to mention just a few examples. In some preferred embodiments, deglycosylated ricin A chain is utilized.

In any event, it is proposed that agents such as these may, if desired, be successfully conjugated to an antibody, in a manner that will allow their targeting, internalization, release or presentation to blood components at the site of the targeted tumor cells as required using known conjugation technology (See, e.g., Ghose et al., Methods Enzymol., 93:280 [1983]).

For example, in some embodiments the present invention provides immunotoxins targeting MMSET. Immunotoxins are conjugates of a specific targeting agent typically a tumor-directed antibody or fragment, with a cytotoxic agent, such as a toxin moiety. The targeting agent directs the toxin to, and thereby selectively kills, cells carrying the targeted antigen. In some embodiments, therapeutic antibodies employ crosslinkers that provide high in vivo stability (Thorpe et al., Cancer Res., 48:6396 [1988]).

In other embodiments, particularly those involving treatment of solid tumors, antibodies are designed to have a cytotoxic or otherwise anticellular effect against the tumor vasculature, by suppressing the growth or cell division of the vascular endothelial cells. This attack is intended to lead to a tumor-localized vascular collapse, depriving the tumor cells, particularly those tumor cells distal of the vasculature, of oxygen and nutrients, ultimately leading to cell death and tumor necrosis.

In preferred embodiments, antibody-based therapeutics are formulated as pharmaceutical compositions as described below. In preferred embodiments, administration of an antibody composition of the present invention results in a measurable decrease in cancer (e.g., decrease or elimination of tumor, decrease in overproliferation of plasma cells).

E. Pharmaceutical Compositions

The compounds are preferably employed for therapeutic uses in combination with a suitable pharmaceutical carrier. Such compositions comprise an effective amount of the compound, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. The formulation is made to suit the mode of administration. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are determined in part by the particular composition being administered, as well as by the particular method used to administer the composition. Accordingly, there is a wide variety of suitable formulations of pharmaceutical compositions containing the nucleic acids some of which are described herein.

For the use of miRNA therapeutics, it is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that nucleic acids administered in vivo are taken up and distributed to cells and tissues (Huang, et al., FEBS Lett. 558(1-3):69-73 (2004)). For example, Nyce et al. have shown that antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) when inhaled bind to endogenous surfactant (a lipid produced by lung cells) and are taken up by lung cells without a need for additional carrier lipids (Nyce and Metzger, Nature, 385:721-725 (1997). Small nucleic acids are readily taken up into T24 bladder carcinoma tissue culture cells (Ma, et al., Antisense Nucleic Acid Drug Dev. 8:415-426 (1998). siRNAs have been used for therapeutic silencing of an endogenous genes by systemic administration (Soutschek, et al., Nature 432, 173-178 (2004)).

The compounds may be in a formulation for administration topically, locally or systemically in a suitable pharmaceutical carrier. Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 15th Edition by E. W. Martin (Mark Publishing Company, 1975), discloses typical carriers and methods of preparation. The compound may also be encapsulated in suitable biocompatible microcapsules, microparticles or micro spheres formed of biodegradable or non-biodegradable polymers or proteins or liposomes for targeting to cells. Such systems are well known to those skilled in the art and may be optimized for use with the appropriate nucleic acid.

Various methods for nucleic acid delivery are described, for example in Sambrook et al., 1989, Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, New York; and Ausubel et al., 1994, Current Protocols in Molecular Biology, John Wiley & Sons, New York. Such nucleic acid delivery systems comprise the desired nucleic acid, by way of example and not by limitation, in either “naked” form as a “naked” nucleic acid, or formulated in a vehicle suitable for delivery, such as in a complex with a cationic molecule or a liposome forming lipid, or as a component of a vector, or a component of a pharmaceutical composition. The nucleic acid delivery system can be provided to the cell either directly, such as by contacting it with the cell, or indirectly, such as through the action of any biological process. By way of example, and not by limitation, the nucleic acid delivery system can be provided to the cell by endocytosis, receptor targeting, coupling with native or synthetic cell membrane fragments, physical means such as electroporation, combining the nucleic acid delivery system with a polymeric carrier such as a controlled release film or nanoparticle or microparticle, using a vector, injecting the nucleic acid delivery system into a tissue or fluid surrounding the cell, simple diffusion of the nucleic acid delivery system across the cell membrane, or by any active or passive transport mechanism across the cell membrane. Additionally, the nucleic acid delivery system can be provided to the cell using techniques such as antibody-related targeting and antibody-mediated immobilization of a viral vector.

Formulations for topical administration may include ointments, lotions, creams, gels, drops, suppositories, sprays, liquids and powders. Conventional pharmaceutical carriers, aqueous, powder or oily bases, or thickeners can be used as desired.

Formulations suitable for parenteral administration, such as, for example, by intraarticular (in the joints), intravenous, intramuscular, intradermal, intraperitoneal, and subcutaneous routes, include aqueous and non-aqueous, isotonic sterile injection solutions, which can contain antioxidants, buffers, bacteriostats, and solutes that render the formulation isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient, and aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions, solutions or emulsions that can include suspending agents, solubilizers, thickening agents, dispersing agents, stabilizers, and preservatives. Formulations for injection may be presented in unit dosage form, e.g., in ampules or in multi-dose containers, with an added preservative. The compositions may take such forms as.

Preparations include sterile aqueous or nonaqueous solutions, suspensions and emulsions, which can be isotonic with the blood of the subject in certain embodiments. Examples of nonaqueous solvents are polypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oil such as olive oil, sesame oil, coconut oil, arachis oil, peanut oil, mineral oil, injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate, or fixed oils including synthetic mono or di-glycerides. Aqueous carriers include water, alcoholic/aqueous solutions, emulsions or suspensions, including saline and buffered media. Parenteral vehicles include sodium chloride solution, 1,3-butandiol, Ringer's dextrose, dextrose and sodium chloride, lactated Ringer's or fixed oils. Intravenous vehicles include fluid and nutrient replenishers, electrolyte replenishers (such as those based on Ringer's dextrose), and the like. Preservatives and other additives may also be present such as, for example, antimicrobials, antioxidants, chelating agents and inert gases and the like. In addition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil may be employed including synthetic mono- or di-glycerides. In addition, fatty acids such as oleic acid may be used in the preparation of injectables. Carrier formulation can be found in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa. Those of skill in the art can readily determine the various parameters for preparing and formulating the compositions without resort to undue experimentation.

The compound alone or in combination with other suitable components, can also be made into aerosol formulations (i.e., they can be “nebulized”) to be administered via inhalation. Aerosol formulations can be placed into pressurized acceptable propellants, such as dichlorodifluoromethane, propane, nitrogen, and the like. For administration by inhalation, the compounds are conveniently delivered in the form of an aerosol spray presentation from pressurized packs or a nebulizer, with the use of a suitable propellant.

In some embodiments, the compound described above may include pharmaceutically acceptable carriers with formulation ingredients such as salts, carriers, buffering agents, emulsifiers, diluents, excipients, chelating agents, fillers, drying agents, antioxidants, antimicrobials, preservatives, binding agents, bulking agents, silicas, solubilizers, or stabilizers. In one embodiment, the compounds are conjugated to lipophilic groups like cholesterol and laurie and lithocholic acid derivatives with C32 functionality to improve cellular uptake. For example, cholesterol has been demonstrated to enhance uptake and serum stability of siRNA in vitro Lorenz, et al., Bioorg. Med. Cheni. Lett. 14(19):4975-4977 (2004)) and in vivo (Soutschek, et al., Nature 432(7014):173-178 (2004)). In addition, it has been shown that binding of steroid conjugated oligonucleotides to different lipoproteins in the bloodstream, such as LDL, protect integrity and facilitate biodistribution (Rump, et al., Biochem. Pharmacol. 59 (11):1407-1416 (2000)). Other groups that can be attached or conjugated to the compound described above to increase cellular uptake, include acridine derivatives; cross-linkers such as psoralen derivatives, azidophenacyl, proflavin, and azidoproflavin; artificial endonucleases; metal complexes such as EDTA-Fe(II) and porphyrin-Fe(II); alkylating moieties; nucleases such as alkaline phosphatase; terminal transferases; abzymes; cholesteryl moieties; lipophilic carriers; peptide conjugates; long chain alcohols; phosphate esters; radioactive markers; non-radioactive markers; carbohydrates; and polylysine or other polyamines.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,919,208 to Levy, et al., herein incorporated by reference, also described methods for enhanced delivery. These pharmaceutical formulations may be manufactured in a manner that is itself known, e.g., by means of conventional mixing, dissolving, granulating, levigating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping or lyophilizing processes.

The formulations described herein of the nucleic acids embrace fusions of the nucleic acids or modifications of the nucleic acids, wherein the nucleic acid is fused to another moiety or moieties, e.g., targeting moiety or another therapeutic agent. Such analogs may exhibit improved properties such as activity and/or stability. Examples of moieties which may be linked or unlinked to the nucleic acid include, for example, targeting moieties which provide for the delivery of nucleic acid to specific cells, e.g., antibodies to pancreatic cells, immune cells, lung cells or any other preferred cell type, as well as receptor and ligands expressed on the preferred cell type. Preferably, the moieties target cancer or tumor cells. For example, since cancer cells have increased consumption of glucose, the nucleic acids can be linked to glucose molecules. Monoclonal humanized antibodies that target cancer or tumor cells are preferred moieties and can be linked or unlinked to the nucleic acids. In the case of cancer therapeutics, the target antigen is typically a protein that is unique and/or essential to the tumor cells (e. g., the receptor protein HER-2/neu).

In general, methods of administering compounds, including nucleic acids, are well known in the art. In particular, the routes of administration already in use for nucleic acid therapeutics, along with formulations in current use, provide preferred routes of administration and formulation for the nucleic acids described above.

Compositions can be administered by a number of routes including, but not limited to: oral, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, transdermal, subcutaneous, topical, sublingual, or rectal means. Compounds can also be administered via liposomes. Such administration routes and appropriate formulations are generally known to those of skill in the art.

Administration of the formulations described herein may be accomplished by any acceptable method which allows the compounds, for example miRNA or nucleic acid encoding the miRNA or a molecule (e.g., small molecule), to reach its target.

The particular mode selected will depend of course, upon factors such as the particular formulation, the severity of the state of the subject being treated, and the dosage required for therapeutic efficacy. As generally used herein, an “effective amount” is that amount which is able to treat one or more symptoms of an MMSET-regulated condition, reverse the progression of one or more symptoms of an MMSET-regulated condition, halt the progression of one or more symptoms of an MMSET-regulated condition, or prevent the occurrence of one or more symptoms of an MMSET-regulated condition in a subject to whom the formulation is administered, as compared to a matched subject not receiving the compound.

The actual effective amounts of compound can vary according to the specific compound or combination thereof being utilized, the particular composition formulated, the mode of administration, and the age, weight, condition of the individual, and severity of the symptoms or condition being treated.

Any acceptable method known to one of ordinary skill in the art may be used to administer a formulation to the subject. The administration may be localized (i.e., to a particular region, physiological system, tissue, organ, or cell type) or systemic, depending on the condition being treated.

Injections can be e.g., intravenous, intradermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intraperitoneal. The composition can be injected intraderinally for treatment or prevention of age related disorder, for example. In some embodiments, the injections can be given at multiple locations. Implantation includes inserting implantable drug delivery systems, e.g., microspheres, hydrogels, polymeric reservoirs, cholesterol matrixes, polymeric systems, e.g., matrix erosion and/or diffusion systems and non-polymeric systems, e.g., compressed, fused, or partially-fused pellets Inhalation includes administering the composition with an aerosol in an inhaler, either alone or attached to a carrier that can be absorbed. For systemic administration, it may be preferred that the composition is encapsulated in liposomes.

The compound may be delivered in a manner which enables tissue-specific uptake of the agent. In some embodiments wherein the compound is a nucleic acid, a nucleic acid delivery system may be used. Techniques include using tissue or organ localizing devices, such as wound dressings or transdermal delivery systems, using invasive devices such as vascular or urinary catheters, and using interventional devices such as stents having drug delivery capability and configured as expansive devices or stent grafts.

The formulations may be delivered using a bioerodible implant by way of diffusion or by degradation of the polymeric matrix. In certain embodiments, the administration of the formulation may be designed so as to result in sequential exposures to the compound over a certain time period, for example, hours, days, weeks, months or years. This may be accomplished, for example, by repeated administrations of a formulation or by a sustained or controlled release delivery system in which the compound is delivered over a prolonged period without repeated administrations. Administration of the formulations using such a delivery system may be, for example, by oral dosage forms, bolus injections, transdermal patches or subcutaneous implants. Maintaining a substantially constant concentration of the composition may be preferred in some cases.

Other delivery systems suitable include time-release, delayed release, sustained release, or controlled release delivery systems. Such systems may avoid repeated administrations in many cases, increasing convenience to the subject and the physician. Many types of release delivery systems are available and known to those of ordinary skill in the art. They include, for example, polymer-based systems such as polylactic and/or polyglycolic acids, polyanhydrides, polycaprolactones, copolyoxalates, polyesteramides, polyorthoesters, polyhydroxybutyric acid, and/or combinations of these.

Microcapsules of the foregoing polymers containing nucleic acids are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,109, herein incorporated by reference. Other examples include nonpolymer systems that are lipid-based including sterols such as cholesterol, cholesterol esters, and fatty acids or neutral fats such as mono-, di- and triglycerides; hydrogel release systems; liposome-based systems; phospholipid based-systems; silastic systems; peptide based systems; wax coatings; compressed tablets using conventional binders and excipients; or partially fused implants. Specific examples include erosional systems in which the compound is contained in a formulation within a matrix (for example, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,452,775, 4,675,189, 5,736,152, 4,667,013, 4,748,034 and 5,239,660, herein incorporated by reference), or diffusional systems in which an active component controls the release rate (for example, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,832,253, 3,854,480, 5,133,974 and 5,407,686). The formulation may be as, for example, microspheres, hydrogels, polymeric reservoirs, cholesterol matrices, or polymeric systems. In some embodiments, the system may allow sustained or controlled release of the composition to occur, for example, through control of the diffusion or erosion/degradation rate of the formulation containing the compound. In addition, a pump-based hardware delivery system may be used to deliver one or more embodiments.

Examples of systems in which release occurs in bursts includes, e. g., systems in which the composition is entrapped in liposomes which are encapsulated in a polymer matrix, the liposomes being sensitive to specific stimuli, e.g., temperature, pH, light or a degrading enzyme and systems in which the composition is encapsulated by an ionically-coated microcapsule with a microcapsule core degrading enzyme. Examples of systems in which release of the inhibitor is gradual and continuous include, e.g., erosional systems in which the composition is contained in a form within a matrix and effusional systems in which the composition penneates at a controlled rate, e.g., through a polymer. Such sustained release systems can be e.g., in the form of pellets, or capsules.

Use of a long-term release implant may be particularly suitable in some embodiments. “Long-term release,” as used herein, means that the implant containing the composition is constructed and arranged to deliver therapeutically effective levels of the composition for at least 30 or 45 days, and preferably at least 60 or 90 days, or even longer in some cases. Long-term release implants are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and include some of the release systems described above.

Dosages for a particular individual can be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art using conventional considerations, (e.g. by means of an appropriate, conventional pharmacological protocol). A physician may, for example, prescribe a relatively low dose at first, subsequently increasing the dose until an appropriate response is obtained. The dose administered to an individual is sufficient to effect a beneficial therapeutic response in the individual over time, or, e.g., to reduce symptoms, or other appropriate activity, depending on the application. The dose is determined by the efficacy of the particular formulation, and the activity, stability or serum half-life of the compound employed and the condition of the individual, as well as the body weight or surface area of the individual to be treated. The size of the dose is also determined by the existence, nature, and extent of any adverse side-effects that accompany the administration of a particular vector, formulation, or the like in a particular individual.

Therapeutic compositions comprising one or more nucleic acids are optionally tested in one or more appropriate in vitro and/or in vivo animal models of disease, to confirm efficacy, tissue metabolism, and to estimate dosages, according to methods well known in the art. In particular, dosages can be initially determined by activity, stability or other suitable measures of treatment vs. non-treatment (e.g., comparison of treated vs. untreated cells or animal models), in a relevant assay. Formulations are administered at a rate determined by the LD50 of the relevant formulation, and/or observation of any side-effects of the nucleic acids at various concentrations, e.g., as applied to the mass and overall health of the individual. Administration can be accomplished via single or divided doses.

In vitro models can be used to determine the effective doses of the nucleic acids as a potential age related disorder treatment, as described in the examples. In determining the effective amount of the compound to be administered in the treatment or prophylaxis of disease the physician evaluates circulating plasma levels, formulation toxicities, and progression of the disease. In a non-limiting example, for nucleic acids, the dose administered to a 70 kilogram individual is typically in the range equivalent to dosages of currently-used therapeutic antisense oligonucleotides such as Vitravene® (fomivirsen sodium injection) which is approved by the FDA for treatment of cytomegaloviral RNA, adjusted for the altered activity or serum half-life of the relevant composition.

The formulations described herein can supplement treatment conditions by any known conventional therapy, including, but not limited to, antibody administration, vaccine administration, administration of cytotoxic agents, natural amino acid polypeptides, nucleic acids, nucleotide analogues, and biologic response modifiers. Two or more combined compounds may be used together or sequentially. For example, the nucleic acids can also be administered in therapeutically effective amounts as a portion of an anti-age-related disorder cocktail.

Certain embodiments of the invention provide pharmaceutical compositions containing (a) one or more MMSET-targeted nucleic acid or small molecule compounds and (b) one or more other chemotherapeutic agents. Examples of such chemotherapeutic agents include, but are not limited to, anticancer drugs such as daunorubicin, dactinomycin, doxorubicin, bleomycin, mitomycin, nitrogen mustard, chlorambucil, melphalan, cyclophosphamide, 6-mercaptopurine, 6-thioguanine, cytarabine (CA), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), floxuridine (5-FUdR), methotrexate (MTX), colchicine, vincristine, vinblastine, etoposide, teniposide, cisplatin and diethylstilbestrol (DES). Anti-inflammatory drugs, including but not limited to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids, and antiviral drugs, including but not limited to ribivirin, vidarabine, acyclovir and ganciclovir, may also be combined in compositions of the invention. Other non-antisense chemotherapeutic agents are also within the scope of this invention. Two or more combined compounds may be used together or sequentially.

F. Combination Therapy

In some embodiments, the present invention provides therapeutic methods comprising one or more compositions described herein in combination with an additional agent (e.g., a chemotherapeutic agent). The present invention is not limited to a particular chemotherapy agent.

Various classes of antineoplastic (e.g., anticancer) agents are contemplated for use in certain embodiments of the present invention. Anticancer agents suitable for use with embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to, agents that induce apoptosis, agents that inhibit adenosine deaminase function, inhibit pyrimidine biosynthesis, inhibit purine ring biosynthesis, inhibit nucleotide interconversions, inhibit ribonucleotide reductase, inhibit thymidine monophosphate (TMP) synthesis, inhibit dihydrofolate reduction, inhibit DNA synthesis, form adducts with DNA, damage DNA, inhibit DNA repair, intercalate with DNA, deaminate asparagines, inhibit RNA synthesis, inhibit protein synthesis or stability, inhibit microtubule synthesis or function, and the like.

In some embodiments, exemplary anticancer agents suitable for use in compositions and methods of embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to: 1) alkaloids, including microtubule inhibitors (e.g., vincristine, vinblastine, and vindesine, etc.), microtubule stabilizers (e.g., paclitaxel (TAXOL), and docetaxel, etc.), and chromatin function inhibitors, including topoisomerase inhibitors, such as epipodophyllotoxins (e.g., etoposide (VP-16), and teniposide (VM-26), etc.), and agents that target topoisomerase I (e.g., camptothecin and isirinotecan (CPT-11), etc.); 2) covalent DNA-binding agents (alkylating agents), including nitrogen mustards (e.g., mechlorethamine, chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, ifosphamide, and busulfan (MYLERAN), etc.), nitrosoureas (e.g., carmustine, lomustine, and semustine, etc.), and other alkylating agents (e.g., dacarbazine, hydroxymethylmelamine, thiotepa, and mitomycin, etc.); 3) noncovalent DNA-binding agents (antitumor antibiotics), including nucleic acid inhibitors (e.g., dactinomycin (actinomycin D), etc.), anthracyclines (e.g., daunorubicin (daunomycin, and cerubidine), doxorubicin (adriamycin), and idarubicin (idamycin), etc.), anthracenediones (e.g., anthracycline analogues, such as mitoxantrone, etc.), bleomycins (BLENOXANE), etc., and plicamycin (mithramycin), etc.; 4) antimetabolites, including antifolates (e.g., methotrexate, FOLEX, and MEXATE, etc.), purine antimetabolites (e.g., 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP, PURINETHOL), 6-thioguanine (6-TG), azathioprine, acyclovir, ganciclovir, chlorodeoxyadenosine, 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine (CdA), and 2′-deoxycoformycin (pentostatin), etc.), pyrimidine antagonists (e.g., fluoropyrimidines (e.g., 5-fluorouracil (ADRUCIL), 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FdUrd) (floxuridine)) etc.), and cytosine arabinosides (e.g., CYTOSAR (ara-C) and fludarabine, etc.); 5) enzymes, including L-asparaginase, and hydroxyurea, etc.; 6) hormones, including glucocorticoids, antiestrogens (e.g., tamoxifen, etc.), nonsteroidal antiandrogens (e.g., flutamide, etc.), and aromatase inhibitors (e.g., anastrozole (ARIMIDEX), etc.); 7) platinum compounds (e.g., cisplatin and carboplatin, etc.); 8) monoclonal antibodies conjugated with anticancer drugs, toxins, and/or radionuclides, etc.; 9) biological response modifiers (e.g., interferons (e.g., IFN-α, etc.) and interleukins (e.g., IL-2, etc.), etc.); 10) adoptive immunotherapy; 11) hematopoietic growth factors; 12) agents that induce tumor cell differentiation (e.g., all-trans-retinoic acid, etc.); 13) gene therapy techniques; 14) antisense therapy techniques; 15) tumor vaccines; 16) therapies directed against tumor metastases (e.g., batimastat, etc.); 17) angiogenesis inhibitors; 18) proteosome inhibitors (e.g., VELCADE); 19) inhibitors of acetylation and/or methylation (e.g., HDAC inhibitors); 20) modulators of NF kappa B; 21) inhibitors of cell cycle regulation (e.g., CDK inhibitors); 22) modulators of p53 protein function; and 23) radiation.

Any oncolytic agent that is routinely used in a cancer therapy context finds use in the compositions and methods of embodiments of the present invention. For example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration maintains a formulary of oncolytic agents approved for use in the United States. International counterpart agencies to the U.S. F.D.A. maintain similar formularies. The below Table provides a list of exemplary antineoplastic agents approved for use in the U.S. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the “product labels” required on all U.S. approved chemotherapeutics describe approved indications, dosing information, toxicity data, and the like, for the exemplary agents.

Aldesleukin Proleukin Chiron Corp., Emeryville, CA (des-alanyl-1, serine-125 human interleukin-2) Alemtuzumab Campath Millennium and ILEX (IgG1κ anti CD52 antibody) Partners, LP, Cambridge, MA Alitretinoin Panretin Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (9-cis-retinoic acid) San Diego CA Allopurinol Zyloprim GlaxoSmithKline, Research (1,5-dihydro-4 H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-one Triangle Park, NC monosodium salt) Altretamine Hexalen US Bioscience, West (N,N,N′,N′,N″,N″,-hexamethyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6- Conshohocken, PA triamine) Amifostine Ethyol US Bioscience (ethanethiol, 2-[(3-aminopropyl)amino]-, dihydrogen phosphate (ester)) Anastrozole Arimidex AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, (1,3-Benzenediacetonitrile,a,a,a′,a′-tetramethyl-5-(1H- LP, Wilmington, DE 1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)) Arsenic trioxide Trisenox Cell Therapeutic, Inc., Seattle, WA Asparaginase Elspar Merck & Co., Inc., (L-asparagine amidohydrolase, type EC-2) Whitehouse Station, NJ BCG Live TICE BCG Organon Teknika, Corp., (lyophilized preparation of an attenuated strain of Durham, NC Mycobacterium bovis (Bacillus Calmette-Gukin [BCG], substrain Montreal) bexarotene capsules Targretin Ligand Pharmaceuticals (4-[1-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-2- napthalenyl) ethenyl] benzoic acid) bexarotene gel Targretin Ligand Pharmaceuticals Bleomycin Blenoxane Bristol-Myers Squibb Co., (cytotoxic glycopeptide antibiotics produced by NY, NY Streptomyces verticillus; bleomycin A₂ and bleomycin B₂) Capecitabine Xeloda Roche (5′-deoxy-5-fluoro-N-[(pentyloxy)carbonyl]-cytidine) Carboplatin Paraplatin Bristol-Myers Squibb (platinum, diammine [1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylato(2-)- 0,0′]-,(SP-4-2)) Carmustine BCNU, Bristol-Myers Squibb (1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea) BiCNU Carmustine with Polifeprosan 20 Implant Gliadel Wafer Guilford Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Baltimore, MD Celecoxib Celebrex Searle Pharmaceuticals, (as 4-[5-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H- England pyrazol-1-yl] benzenesulfonamide) Chlorambucil Leukeran GlaxoSmithKline (4-[bis(2chlorethyl)amino]benzenebutanoic acid) Cisplatin Platinol Bristol-Myers Squibb (PtCl₂H₆N₂) Cladribine Leustatin, 2- R. W. Johnson Pharmaceutical (2-chloro-2′-deoxy-b-D-adenosine) CdA Research Institute, Raritan, NJ Cyclophosphamide Cytoxan, Bristol-Myers Squibb (2-[bis(2-chloroethyl)amino] tetrahydro-2H-13,2- Neosar oxazaphosphorine 2-oxide monohydrate) Cytarabine Cytosar-U Pharmacia & Upjohn (1-b-D-Arabinofuranosylcytosine, C₉H₁₃N₃O₅) Company cytarabine liposomal DepoCyt Skye Pharmaceuticals, Inc., San Diego, CA Dacarbazine DTIC-Dome Bayer AG, Leverkusen, (5-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)-imidazole-4-carboxamide Germany (DTIC)) Dactinomycin, actinomycin D Cosmegen Merck (actinomycin produced by Streptomyces parvullus, C₆₂H₈₆N₁₂O₁₆) Darbepoetin alfa Aranesp Amgen, Inc., Thousand Oaks, (recombinant peptide) CA daunorubicin liposomal DanuoXome Nexstar Pharmaceuticals, Inc., ((8S-cis)-8-acetyl-10-[(3-amino-2,3,6-trideoxy-á-L-lyxo- Boulder, CO hexopyranosyl)oxy]-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6,8,11- trihydroxy-1-methoxy-5,12-naphthacenedione hydrochloride) Daunorubicin HCl, daunomycin Cerubidine Wyeth Ayerst, Madison, NJ ((1S,3S)-3-Acetyl-1,2,3,4,6,11-hexahydro-3,5,12- trihydroxy-10-methoxy-6,11-dioxo-1-naphthacenyl 3- amino-2,3,6-trideoxy-(alpha)-L-lyxo-hexopyranoside hydrochloride) Denileukin diftitox Ontak Seragen, Inc., Hopkinton, MA (recombinant peptide) Dexrazoxane Zinecard Pharmacia & Upjohn ((S)-4,4′-(1-methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)bis-2,6- Company piperazinedione) Docetaxel Taxotere Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Inc., ((2R,3S)-N-carboxy-3-phenylisoserine, N-tert-butyl ester, Bridgewater, NJ 13-ester with 5b-20-epoxy-12a,4,7b,10b,13a- hexahydroxytax-11-en-9-one 4-acetate 2-benzoate, trihydrate) Doxorubicin HCl Adriamycin, Pharmacia & Upjohn (8S,10S)-10-[(3-amino-2,3,6-trideoxy-a-L-lyxo- Rubex Company hexopyranosyl)oxy]-8-glycolyl-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro- 6,8,11-trihydroxy-1-methoxy-5,12-naphthacenedione hydrochloride) doxorubicin Adriamycin Pharmacia & Upjohn PFS Company Intravenous injection doxorubicin liposomal Doxil Sequus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Menlo park, CA dromostanolone propionate Dromostanolone Eli Lilly & Company, (17b-Hydroxy-2a-methyl-5a-androstan-3-one propionate) Indianapolis, IN dromostanolone propionate Masterone Syntex, Corp., Palo Alto, CA injection Elliott's B Solution Elliott's B Orphan Medical, Inc Solution Epirubicin Ellence Pharmacia & Upjohn ((8S-cis)-10-[(3-amino-2,3,6-trideoxy-a-L-arabino- Company hexopyranosyl)oxy]-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro-6,8,11- trihydroxy-8-(hydroxyacetyl)-1-methoxy-5,12- naphthacenedione hydrochloride) Epoetin alfa Epogen Amgen, Inc (recombinant peptide) Estramustine Emcyt Pharmacia & Upjohn (estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17-diol(17(beta))-, 3-[bis(2- Company chloroethyl)carbamate] 17-(dihydrogen phosphate), disodium salt, monohydrate, or estradiol 3-[bis(2- chloroethyl)carbamate] 17-(dihydrogen phosphate), disodium salt, monohydrate) Etoposide phosphate Etopophos Bristol-Myers Squibb (4′-Demethylepipodophyllotoxin 9-[4,6-O-(R)- ethylidene-(beta)-D-glucopyranoside], 4′-(dihydrogen phosphate)) etoposide, VP-16 Vepesid Bristol-Myers Squibb (4′-demethylepipodophyllotoxin 9-[4,6-0-(R)-ethylidene- (beta)-D-glucopyranoside]) Exemestane Aromasin Pharmacia & Upjohn (6-methylenandrosta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione) Company Filgrastim Neupogen Amgen, Inc (r-metHuG-CSF) floxuridine (intraarterial) FUDR Roche (2′-deoxy-5-fluorouridine) Fludarabine Fludara Berlex Laboratories, Inc., (fluorinated nucleotide analog of the antiviral agent Cedar Knolls, NJ vidarabine, 9-b-D-arabinofuranosyladenine (ara-A)) Fluorouracil, 5-FU Adrucil ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (5-fluoro-2,4(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedione) Humacao, Puerto Rico Fulvestrant Faslodex IPR Pharmaceuticals, (7-alpha-[9-(4,4,5,5,5-penta fluoropentylsulphinyl) Guayama, Puerto Rico nonyl]estra-1,3,5-(10)-triene-3,17-beta-diol) Gemcitabine Gemzar Eli Lilly (2′-deoxy-2′,2′-difluorocytidine monohydrochloride (b- isomer)) Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin Mylotarg Wyeth Ayerst (anti-CD33 hP67.6) Goserelin acetate Zoladex AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals (acetate salt of [D-Ser(But)⁶,Azgly¹⁰]LHRH; pyro-Glu- Implant His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-D-Ser(But)-Leu-Arg-Pro-Azgly-NH2 acetate [C₅₉H₈₄N₁₈O₁₄•(C₂H₄O₂)_(x) Hydroxyurea Hydrea Bristol-Myers Squibb Ibritumomab Tiuxetan Zevalin Biogen IDEC, Inc., (immunoconjugate resulting from a thiourea covalent Cambridge MA bond between the monoclonal antibody Ibritumomab and the linker-chelator tiuxetan [N-[2- bis(carboxymethyl)amino]-3-(p-isothiocyanatophenyl)- propyl]-[N-[2-bis(carboxymethyl)amino]-2-(methyl)- ethyl]glycine) Idarubicin Idamycin Pharmacia & Upjohn (5,12-Naphthacenedione, 9-acetyl-7-[(3-amino-2,3,6- Company trideoxy-(alpha)-L-lyxo-hexopyranosyl)oxy]-7,8,9,10- tetrahydro-6,9,11-trihydroxyhydrochloride, (7S-cis)) Ifosfamide IFEX Bristol-Myers Squibb (3-(2-chloroethyl)-2-[(2-chloroethyl)amino]tetrahydro- 2H-1,3,2-oxazaphosphorine 2-oxide) Imatinib Mesilate Gleevec Novartis AG, Basel, (4-[(4-Methyl-1-piperazinyl)methyl]-N-[4-methyl-3-[[4- Switzerland (3-pyridinyl)-2-pyrimidinyl]amino]-phenyl]benzamide methanesulfonate) Interferon alfa-2a Roferon-A Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc., (recombinant peptide) Nutley, NJ Interferon alfa-2b Intron A Schering AG, Berlin, (recombinant peptide) (Lyophilized Germany Betaseron) Irinotecan HCl Camptosar Pharmacia & Upjohn ((4S)-4,11-diethyl-4-hydroxy-9-[(4-piperi- Company dinopiperidino)carbonyloxy]-1H-pyrano[3′,4′: 6,7] indolizino[1,2-b] quinoline-3,14(4H,12H) dione hydrochloride trihydrate) Letrozole Femara Novartis (4,4′-(1H-1,2,4-Triazol-1-ylmethylene) dibenzonitrile) Leucovorin Wellcovorin, Immunex, Corp., Seattle, WA (L-Glutamic acid, N[4[[(2amino-5-formyl1,4,5,6,7,8- Leucovorin hexahydro4oxo6-pteridinyl)methyl]amino]benzoyl], calcium salt (1:1)) Levamisole HCl Ergamisol Janssen Research Foundation, ((−)-(S)-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-6-phenylimidazo [2,1-b] Titusville, NJ thiazole monohydrochloride C₁₁H₁₂N₂S•HCl) Lomustine CeeNU Bristol-Myers Squibb (1-(2-chloro-ethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea) Meclorethamine, nitrogen mustard Mustargen Merck (2-chloro-N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-methylethanamine hydrochloride) Megestrol acetate Megace Bristol-Myers Squibb 17α(acetyloxy)-6-methylpregna-4,6-diene-3,20-dione Melphalan, L-PAM Alkeran GlaxoSmithKline (4-[bis(2-chloroethyl) amino]-L-phenylalanine) Mercaptopurine, 6-MP Purinethol GlaxoSmithKline (1,7-dihydro-6 H-purine-6-thione monohydrate) Mesna Mesnex Asta Medica (sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate) Methotrexate Methotrexate Lederle Laboratories (N-[4-[[(2,4-diamino-6- pteridinyl)methyl]methylamino]benzoyl]-L-glutamic acid) Methoxsalen Uvadex Therakos, Inc., Way Exton, Pa (9-methoxy-7H-furo[3,2-g][1]-benzopyran-7-one) Mitomycin C Mutamycin Bristol-Myers Squibb mitomycin C Mitozytrex SuperGen, Inc., Dublin, CA Mitotane Lysodren Bristol-Myers Squibb (1,1-dichloro-2-(o-chlorophenyl)-2-(p-chlorophenyl) ethane) Mitoxantrone Novantrone Immunex Corporation (1,4-dihydroxy-5,8-bis[[2-[(2- hydroxyethyl)amino]ethyl]amino]-9,10-anthracenedione dihydrochloride) Nandrolone phenpropionate Durabolin-50 Organon, Inc., West Orange, NJ Nofetumomab Verluma Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma KG, Germany Oprelvekin Neumega Genetics Institute, Inc., (IL-11) Alexandria, VA Oxaliplatin Eloxatin Sanofi Synthelabo, Inc., NY, NY (cis-[(1R,2R)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine-N,N′] [oxalato(2-)- O,O′] platinum) Paclitaxel TAXOL Bristol-Myers Squibb (5β,20-Epoxy-1,2a,4,7β,10β,13a-hexahydroxytax-11- en-9-one 4,10-diacetate 2-benzoate 13-ester with (2R,3S)- N-benzoyl-3-phenylisoserine) Pamidronate Aredia Novartis (phosphonic acid (3-amino-1-hydroxypropylidene) bis-, disodium salt, pentahydrate, (APD)) Pegademase Adagen Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc., ((monomethoxypolyethylene glycol succinimidyl) 11-17- (Pegademase Bridgewater, NJ adenosine deaminase) Bovine) Pegaspargase Oncaspar Enzon (monomethoxypolyethylene glycol succinimidyl L-asparaginase) Pegfilgrastim Neulasta Amgen, Inc (covalent conjugate of recombinant methionyl human G- CSF (Filgrastim) and monomethoxypolyethylene glycol) Pentostatin Nipent Parke-Davis Pharmaceutical Co., Rockville, MD Pipobroman Vercyte Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL Plicamycin, Mithramycin Mithracin Pfizer, Inc., NY, NY (antibiotic produced by Streptomyces plicatus) Porfimer sodium Photofrin QLT Phototherapeutics, Inc., Vancouver, Canada Procarbazine Matulane Sigma Tau Pharmaceuticals, (N-isopropyl-μ-(2-methylhydrazino)-p-toluamide Inc., Gaithersburg, MD monohydrochloride) Quinacrine Atabrine Abbott Labs (6-chloro-9-(1-methyl-4-diethyl-amine) butylamino-2- methoxyacridine) Rasburicase Elitek Sanofi-Synthelabo, Inc., (recombinant peptide) Rituximab Rituxan Genentech, Inc., South San (recombinant anti-CD20 antibody) Francisco, CA Sargramostim Prokine Immunex Corp (recombinant peptide) Streptozocin Zanosar Pharmacia & Upjohn (streptozocin 2-deoxy-2- Company [[(methylnitrosoamino)carbonyl]amino]-a(and b)-D- glucopyranose and 220 mg citric acid anhydrous) Talc Sclerosol Bryan, Corp., Woburn, MA (Mg₃Si₄O₁₀ (OH)₂) Tamoxifen Nolvadex AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals ((Z)2-[4-(1,2-diphenyl-1-butenyl) phenoxy]-N,N- dimethylethanamine 2-hydroxy-1,2,3- propanetricarboxylate (1:1)) Temozolomide Temodar Schering (3,4-dihydro-3-methyl-4-oxoimidazo[5,1-d]-as-tetrazine- 8-carboxamide) Teniposide, VM-26 Vumon Bristol-Myers Squibb (4′-demethylepipodophyllotoxin 9-[4,6-0-(R)-2- thenylidene-(beta)-D-glucopyranoside]) Testolactone Teslac Bristol-Myers Squibb (13-hydroxy-3-oxo-13,17-secoandrosta-1,4-dien-17-oic acid [dgr]-lactone) Thioguanine, 6-TG Thioguanine GlaxoSmithKline (2-amino-1,7-dihydro-6 H-purine-6-thione) Thiotepa Thioplex Immunex Corporation (Aziridine,1,1′,1″-phosphinothioylidynetris-, or Tris (1- aziridinyl) phosphine sulfide) Topotecan HCl Hycamtin GlaxoSmithKline ((S)-10-[(dimethylamino) methyl]-4-ethyl-4,9-dihydroxy- 1H-pyrano[3′,4′: 6,7] indolizino [1,2-b] quinoline-3,14- 4H,12H)-dione monohydrochloride) Toremifene Fareston Roberts Pharmaceutical Corp., (2-(p-[(Z)-4-chloro-1,2-diphenyl-1-butenyl]-phenoxy)- Eatontown, NJ N,N-dimethylethylamine citrate (1:1)) Tositumomab, I 131 Tositumomab Bexxar Corixa Corp., Seattle, WA (recombinant murine immunotherapeutic monoclonal IgG_(2a) lambda anti-CD20 antibody (I 131 is a radioimmunotherapeutic antibody)) Trastuzumab Herceptin Genentech, Inc (recombinant monoclonal IgG₁ kappa anti-HER2 antibody) Tretinoin, ATRA Vesanoid Roche (all-trans retinoic acid) Uracil Mustard Uracil Roberts Labs Mustard Capsules Valrubicin, N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate Valstar Anthra --> Medeva ((2S-cis)-2-[1,2,3,4,6,11-hexahydro-2,5,12-trihydroxy-7 methoxy-6,11-dioxo-[[4 2,3,6-trideoxy-3- [(trifluoroacetyl)-amino-α-L-lyxo-hexopyranosyl]oxyl]-2- naphthacenyl]-2-oxoethyl pentanoate) Vinblastine, Leurocristine Velban Eli Lilly (C₄₆H₅₆N₄O₁₀•H₂SO₄) Vincristine Oncovin Eli Lilly (C₄₆H₅₆N₄O₁₀•H₂SO₄) Vinorelbine Navelbine GlaxoSmithKline (3′,4′-didehydro-4′-deoxy-C′-norvincaleukoblastine [R- (R*,R*)-2,3-dihydroxybutanedioate (1:2)(salt)]) Zoledronate, Zoledronic acid Zometa Novartis ((1-Hydroxy-2-imidazol-1-yl-phosphonoethyl) phosphonic acid monohydrate)

Where methods and compositions of the present invention are used for treatment or prevention of prostate cancer, existing therapies for the treatment of prostate cancer may be used in combination with the present methods. Thus methods of treating or inhibiting metastatic prostate cancer may further include administering the MMSET inhibitor in conjunction with a second therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer. The second therapy may be another MMSET inhibitor but typically is a different therapy. Suitable different therapies include one or more therapies selected from the group consisting of radiation treatment and prostatectomy. Another second therapy that may be used in is anti-androgen therapy. The anti-androgen therapy may include administering to the subject one or more agents selected from the group consisting of leuprolide and goserelin. Another second therapy that may be employed is chemotherapy such as administering one or more hormonal or chemotherapeutic agents that include but are not limited to ketoconazole, bicalutamide (Casodex), mitoxantrone (Novantrone), estramustine phosphate (Emcyt), etoposide (Vepsid), paclitaxel (Taxol), docetaxel (Taxotere), doxorubicin (Adriamycin), or vinblastine (Velban).

II. Antibodies

The present invention provides isolated antibodies. In some embodiments, the present invention provides monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to an isolated polypeptide comprised of at least five amino acid residues of MMSET. These antibodies find use in the therapeutic and drug screening methods described herein.

An antibody against a protein of the present invention may be any monoclonal or polyclonal antibody, as long as it can recognize the protein. Antibodies can be produced by using a protein of the present invention as the antigen according to a conventional antibody or antiserum preparation process.

The present invention contemplates the use of both monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies. Any suitable method may be used to generate the antibodies used in the methods and compositions of the present invention, including but not limited to, those disclosed herein. For example, for preparation of a monoclonal antibody, protein, as such, or together with a suitable carrier or diluent is administered to an animal (e.g., a mammal) under conditions that permit the production of antibodies. For enhancing the antibody production capability, complete or incomplete Freund's adjuvant may be administered. Normally, the protein is administered once every 2 weeks to 6 weeks, in total, about 2 times to about 10 times. Animals suitable for use in such methods include, but are not limited to, primates, rabbits, dogs, guinea pigs, mice, rats, sheep, goats, etc.

For preparing monoclonal antibody-producing cells, an individual animal whose antibody titer has been confirmed (e.g., a mouse) is selected, and 2 days to 5 days after the final immunization, its spleen or lymph node is harvested and antibody-producing cells contained therein are fused with myeloma cells to prepare the desired monoclonal antibody producer hybridoma. Measurement of the antibody titer in antiserum can be carried out, for example, by reacting the labeled protein, as described hereinafter and antiserum and then measuring the activity of the labeling agent bound to the antibody. The cell fusion can be carried out according to known methods, for example, the method described by Koehler and Milstein (Nature 256:495 [1975]). As a fusion promoter, for example, polyethylene glycol (PEG) or Sendai virus (HVJ), preferably PEG is used.

Examples of myeloma cells include NS-1, P3U1, SP2/0, AP-1 and the like. The proportion of the number of antibody producer cells (spleen cells) and the number of myeloma cells to be used is preferably about 1:1 to about 20:1. PEG (preferably PEG 1000-PEG 6000) is preferably added in concentration of about 10% to about 80%. Cell fusion can be carried out efficiently by incubating a mixture of both cells at about 20° C. to about 40° C., preferably about 30° C. to about 37° C. for about 1 minute to 10 minutes.

Various methods may be used for screening for a hybridoma producing the antibody (e.g., against a tumor antigen or autoantibody of the present invention). For example, where a supernatant of the hybridoma is added to a solid phase (e.g., microplate) to which antibody is adsorbed directly or together with a carrier and then an anti-immunoglobulin antibody (if mouse cells are used in cell fusion, anti-mouse immunoglobulin antibody is used) or Protein A labeled with a radioactive substance or an enzyme is added to detect the monoclonal antibody against the protein bound to the solid phase. Alternately, a supernatant of the hybridoma is added to a solid phase to which an anti-immunoglobulin antibody or Protein A is adsorbed and then the protein labeled with a radioactive substance or an enzyme is added to detect the monoclonal antibody against the protein bound to the solid phase.

Selection of the monoclonal antibody can be carried out according to any known method or its modification. Normally, a medium for animal cells to which HAT (hypoxanthine, aminopterin, thymidine) are added is employed. Any selection and growth medium can be employed as long as the hybridoma can grow. For example, RPMI 1640 medium containing 1% to 20%, preferably 10% to 20% fetal bovine serum, GIT medium containing 1% to 10% fetal bovine serum, a serum free medium for cultivation of a hybridoma (SFM-101, Nissui Seiyaku) and the like can be used. Normally, the cultivation is carried out at 20° C. to 40° C., preferably 37° C. for about 5 days to 3 weeks, preferably 1 week to 2 weeks under about 5% CO₂ gas. The antibody titer of the supernatant of a hybridoma culture can be measured according to the same manner as described above with respect to the antibody titer of the anti-protein in the antiserum.

Separation and purification of a monoclonal antibody (e.g., against MMSET, an MMSET interacting protein, or an MMSET target) can be carried out according to the same manner as those of conventional polyclonal antibodies such as separation and purification of immunoglobulins, for example, salting-out, alcoholic precipitation, isoelectric point precipitation, electrophoresis, adsorption and desorption with ion exchangers (e.g., DEAE), ultracentrifugation, gel filtration, or a specific purification method wherein only an antibody is collected with an active adsorbent such as an antigen-binding solid phase, Protein A or Protein G and dissociating the binding to obtain the antibody.

Polyclonal antibodies may be prepared by any known method or modifications of these methods including obtaining antibodies from patients. For example, a complex of an immunogen (an antigen against the protein) and a carrier protein is prepared and an animal is immunized by the complex according to the same manner as that described with respect to the above monoclonal antibody preparation. A material containing the antibody against is recovered from the immunized animal and the antibody is separated and purified.

As to the complex of the immunogen and the carrier protein to be used for immunization of an animal, any carrier protein and any mixing proportion of the carrier and a hapten can be employed as long as an antibody against the hapten, which is crosslinked on the carrier and used for immunization, is produced efficiently. For example, bovine serum albumin, bovine cycloglobulin, keyhole limpet hemocyanin, etc. may be coupled to an hapten in a weight ratio of about 0.1 part to about 20 parts, preferably, about 1 part to about 5 parts per 1 part of the hapten.

In addition, various condensing agents can be used for coupling of a hapten and a carrier. For example, glutaraldehyde, carbodiimide, maleimide activated ester, activated ester reagents containing thiol group or dithiopyridyl group, and the like find use with the present invention. The condensation product as such or together with a suitable carrier or diluent is administered to a site of an animal that permits the antibody production. For enhancing the antibody production capability, complete or incomplete Freund's adjuvant may be administered. Normally, the protein is administered once every 2 weeks to 6 weeks, in total, about 3 times to about 10 times.

The polyclonal antibody is recovered from blood, ascites and the like, of an animal immunized by the above method. The antibody titer in the antiserum can be measured according to the same manner as that described above with respect to the supernatant of the hybridoma culture. Separation and purification of the antibody can be carried out according to the same separation and purification method of immunoglobulin as that described with respect to the above monoclonal antibody.

The protein used herein as the immunogen is not limited to any particular type of immunogen. For example, a cancer marker of the present invention (further including a gene having a nucleotide sequence partly altered) can be used as the immunogen. Further, fragments of the protein may be used. Fragments may be obtained by any methods including, but not limited to expressing a fragment of the gene, enzymatic processing of the protein, chemical synthesis, and the like.

III. Drug Screening Applications

In some embodiments, the present invention provides drug screening assays (e.g., to screen for anticancer drugs). The screening methods of the present invention utilize MMSET. For example, in some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of screening for compounds that alter (e.g., decrease) the expression of MMSET. The compounds or agents may interfere with transcription, by interacting, for example, with the promoter region. The compounds or agents may interfere with mRNA produced from MMSET (e.g., by RNA interference, antisense technologies, etc.). The compounds or agents may interfere with pathways that are upstream or downstream of the biological activity of MMSET. In some embodiments, candidate compounds are antisense or interfering RNA agents (e.g., oligonucleotides) directed against MMSET. In other embodiments, candidate compounds are antibodies or small molecules that specifically bind to an MMSET regulator, MMSET target(s), or respective expression products thereof thereby altering (e.g., inhibiting) biological function.

In one screening method, candidate compounds are evaluated for their ability to alter MMSET expression by contacting a compound with a cell expressing MMSET and then assaying for the effect of the candidate compounds on expression. In some embodiments, the effect of candidate compounds on expression of a MMSET gene is assayed for by detecting the level of MMSET mRNA expressed by the cell. mRNA expression can be detected by any suitable method. Methods for analyzing mRNA expression are well-known in the art and include but are not limited to RT-PCR, quantitative (e.g., TaqMan) RT-PCR assays, SAGE, array methods, transcriptome sequencing, Northern blot, etc.

In other embodiments, the effect of candidate compounds on expression of MMSET genes is assayed by measuring the level of polypeptide encoded by the MMSET. The level of polypeptide expressed can be measured using any suitable method, including but not limited to, those disclosed herein. Methods of analyzing polypeptide levels are well-known in the art and include but are not limited to immunoblotting, ELISA, dot blot, protein arrays, immunoprecipitation, bead-based assays, etc.

Specifically, the present invention provides screening methods for identifying modulators, i.e., candidate or test compounds or agents (e.g., proteins, peptides, peptidomimetics, peptoids, small molecules or other drugs) which bind to MMSET, have an inhibitory (or stimulatory) effect on, for example, MMSET expression or MMSET activity, or have a stimulatory or inhibitory effect on, for example, the expression or activity of a MMSET substrate or regulator of MMSET. Compounds thus identified can be used to modulate the activity of target gene products (e.g., MMSET genes) either directly or indirectly in a therapeutic protocol, to elaborate the biological function of the target gene product, or to identify compounds that disrupt normal target gene interactions. Compounds that inhibit the activity or expression of MMSET are useful in the treatment of proliferative disorders, e.g., cancer (e.g., prostate cancer, breast cancer, other solid tumor cancers, multiple myeloma).

In one embodiment, the invention provides assays for screening candidate or test compounds that are substrates of a cancer marker protein or polypeptide or a biologically active portion thereof. In another embodiment, the invention provides assays for screening candidate or test compounds that bind to or modulate the activity of a cancer marker protein or polypeptide or a biologically active portion thereof.

The test compounds of the present invention can be obtained using any of the numerous approaches in combinatorial library methods known in the art, including biological libraries; peptoid libraries (libraries of molecules having the functionalities of peptides, but with a novel, non-peptide backbone, which are resistant to enzymatic degradation but which nevertheless remain bioactive; see, e.g., Zuckennann et al., J. Med. Chem. 37: 2678-85 [1994]); spatially addressable parallel solid phase or solution phase libraries; synthetic library methods requiring deconvolution; the ‘one-bead one-compound’ library method; and synthetic library methods using affinity chromatography selection. The biological library and peptoid library approaches are preferred for use with peptide libraries, while the other four approaches are applicable to peptide, non-peptide oligomer or small molecule libraries of compounds (Lam (1997) Anticancer Drug Des. 12:145).

Examples of methods for the synthesis of molecular libraries can be found in the art, for example in: DeWitt et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 90:6909 [1993]; Erb et al., Proc. Nad. Acad. Sci. USA 91:11422 [1994]; Zuckermann et al., J. Med. Chem. 37:2678 [1994]; Cho et al., Science 261:1303 [1993]; Carrell et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 33.2059 [1994]; Carell et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 33:2061 [1994]; and Gallop et al., J. Med. Chem. 37:1233 [1994].

Libraries of compounds may be presented, e.g., in solution (e.g., Houghten, Biotechniques 13:412-421 [1992]), or on beads (Lam, Nature 354:82-84 [1991]), chips (Fodor, Nature 364:555-556 [1993]), bacteria or spores (U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,409; herein incorporated by reference), plasmids (Cull et al., Proc. Nad. Acad. Sci. USA 89:18651869 [1992]) or on phage (Scott and Smith, Science 249:386-390 [1990]; Devlin Science 249:404-406 [1990]; Cwirla et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 87:6378-6382 [1990]; Felici, J. Mol. Biol. 222:301 [1991]).

EXPERIMENTAL

The following examples are provided in order to demonstrate and further illustrate certain preferred embodiments and aspects of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope thereof.

Experiment 1 Analysis of MMSET Expression in Prostate Cancer Tissues and Cell Lines

Methods

TaqMan Quantitative PCR for MMSET and Ezh2 mRNA Detection

Total RNA from tissue specimens was extracted using an miRNeasy kit (Qiagen) and the resulting cDNA samples were prepared using SuperScript™ II Reverse Transcriptase (Invitrogen). Quantitative RT-PCR was performed using assay on demand primer probe (Applied Biosystems). MMSET and Ezh2 mRNA levels were quantified and normalized to GAPDH using 2^(ΔΔCT)-method.

Results

TaqMan quantitative real time PCR showed increased relative expression of MMSET and Ezh2 in resected prostate mets tissue samples as compared to benign or PCA tissue samples (FIG. 8).

Experiment 2 Knockdown of MMSET Affects Cell Invasiveness

Methods

Basement Membrane Matrix Invasion Assay

DU145 cells were used for invasion assays. In some experiments, MMSET knockdown was performed by transfecting cells with two different MMSET-specific siRNAs. Forty-eight hours post-transfection, cells were seeded onto the basement membrane matrix (EC matrix, Chemicon, Temecula, Calif.) present in the insert of a 24-well culture plate. In some experiments, MMSET was inhibited using a small molecule inhibitor (MCTP39). Fetal bovine serum was added to the lower chamber as a chemoattractant with or without 2 doses of small molecule inhibitors. After 48 hours, the non-invading cells and EC matrix were gently removed with a cotton swab. Invasive cells located on the lower side of the chamber were measured colorimetrically by treating with 150 μl of 10% acetic acid and the absorbance measured at 560 nm using a spectrophotometer.

Results

siRNA-mediated knockdown of MMSET resulted in decreased invasion of DU145 cells (FIG. 5). Similarly, treatment of DU145 cells with a small molecule inhibitor of MMSET resulted in decreased invasion in the basement membrane matrix invasion assay (FIG. 7).

Experiment 3 Cell Viability Assays

Methods

In order to test the activity of MMSET inhibitors on cell viability, a WST-1 cell viability assay (Roche) was performed. The aggressive prostate cell line DU145 was treated with different doses of small molecules dissolved in DMSO for 96 hours before performing the WST-1 assay according to manufacturer's protocol. Each experiment was performed 8 times and absorbance was measured at 450 nm.

Results

Viability assay results for a small molecule inhibitor of MMSET, MCTP39, are shown in FIG. 7. The IC₅₀ value for MCTP39 was <3 μM.

Experiment 4 Histone Methylation Modifications in Cells Treated or Untreated with MMSET Inhibitors

Methods

Immunoblot Analyses

DU145 cells were incubated with multiple doses of small molecule inhibitors for 96 hours or were subjected to siRNA-mediated MMSET knockdown as described herein (e.g., using sh1 GGUCCAAAGUGUCGGGUUA or sh2 GUCAGUGGAGGAGCGGAA). Cells were homogenized in NP40 lysis buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl, 1% NP40, pH 7.4, Sigma, St. Louis, Mo.) with Complete proteinase inhibitor mixture (Roche, Indianapolis, Ind.). Ten micrograms of each protein extract were boiled in sample buffer, separated by SDS-PAGE, and transferred onto Polyvinylidene Difluoride membrane (GE Healthcare). The membrane was incubated for one hour in blocking buffer and incubated overnight at 4° C. with the following antibodies: anti-mono, di, and trimethylated H3-27, anti-di and trimethylated H3-k36, and anti-trimethylated H3-K9. Following a wash with TBS-T, the blot was incubated with horseradish peroxidase-conjugated secondary antibody. Signals were visualized by enhanced chemiluminescence as described by the manufacturer (GE Healthcare). The blots were re-probed with anti-H3 and β-actin for confirmation of equal loading.

Results

Knockdown of MMSET resulted in decreased dimethylation of H3K36 (FIG. 4). Incubation with an MMSET inhibitor, MCTP39, resulted in dose-dependent decreased H3K36 dimethylation, as well as dose-dependent decreased H3K27 dimethylation, H3K27 trimethylation, and H3K36 trimethylation (FIG. 9).

FIGS. 11-26 show further characterization of MMSET expression in multiple cancers and inhibition with MCTP39. MCTP39 decreased cell viability and tumor size in xenograft tumors.

All publications and patents mentioned in the above specification are herein incorporated by reference. Various modifications and variations of the described method and system of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the relevant fields are intended to be within the scope of the following claims. 

We claim:
 1. A method of inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, comprising contacting a cancer cell selected from the group consisting of a prostate cancer cell, a prostate cancer cell precursor, a breast cancer cell, a breast cancer cell precursor, a plasma cell, and a plasma cell precursor expressing MMSET with an agent that inhibits at least one activity of MMSET in said cell, wherein said agent is 3-hydrazinylquinoxaline-2-thiol.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said activity of MMSET is selected from the group consisting of MMSET enzymatic activity, MMSET transcript level and MMSET protein level.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein said MMSET enzymatic activity comprises methylation.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said methylation is methylation of lysine 36 of histone H3.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said methylation of lysine 36 of histone H3 is dimethylation.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein said methylation of lysine 36 of histone H3 consists of trimethylation. 